R v Thorn

[2010] ACTCA 10

THE QUEEN v JAMES THORN [2010] ACTCA 10 (28 MAY 2010)

CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – Crown appeal against inadequacy – appellate court not to substitute its views for that of the sentencing judge – sentence imposed do not manifest error – appeal dismissed.

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – factors to be taken into account – purposes of sentencing under s7 of the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT) – partly consecutive sentences – principles of totality.

Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT), s 7, 63

Pearce v R (1998) 194 CLR 610
R v Stirrat [2003] NSWCCA 350
Hawkins v Hawkins (2009) 3 ACTLR 210

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

No. ACTCA 25-2009 
No. SCC 420/2007; 75A/2008; 75B/2008; 75C/2008; 162A/2008; 162C/2008;162D/2008; 162E/2008; 186/2008; 301/2008; 412A/2008; 413/2008; 99/2009; 278/2009

Judges:         Gray P, Refshauge and North JJ
Court of Appeal of the Australian Capital Territory
Date:            28 May 2010

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE       )          No. ACTCA 25-2009
  )          No. SCC 420 of 2007;
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY    )          No. SCC 75A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 75B of 2008;
COURT OF APPEAL  )          No. SCC 75C of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162C of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162D of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162E of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 186 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 301 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 412A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 413 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 99 of 2009;
  )          No. SCC 278 of 2009

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

BETWEEN:THE QUEEN

Appellant

AND:JAMES THORN

Respondent

ORDER

Judges:  Gray P, Refshauge and North JJ
Date:  28 May 2010 
Place:  Canberra

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1. The appeal be dismissed.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE       )          No. ACTCA 25-2009
  )          No. SCC 420 of 2007;
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY    )          No. SCC 75A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 75B of 2008;
COURT OF APPEAL  )          No. SCC 75C of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162C of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162D of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 162E of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 186 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 301 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 412A of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 413 of 2008;
  )          No. SCC 99 of 2009;
  )          No. SCC 278 of 2009

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

BETWEEN:THE QUEEN

Appellant

AND:JAMES THORN

Respondent

Judges:  Gray P, Refshauge and North JJ
Date:  28 May 2010 
Place:  Canberra

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

THE COURT:

1. The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed against the inadequacy of a sentence imposed upon James Thorn (the respondent) in respect of the offences committed by him dating back to 3 October 2007 and concluding on 18 November 2008.  The respondent was sentenced on 7 September 2009 to four years six months imprisonment (wrongly described in the good…