Rendic v The Queen

The appellant, Rendic, sought leave to appeal against a sentence imposed by a sentencing judge. The appeal concerned the severity of the custodial sentence and the non-parole period.

The legal issues before the Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia were whether the sentencing judge had erred in their approach to imposing the non-parole period and whether the starting point for the head sentence of five years imprisonment was outside the judge's discretion.

The Court, per Bleby JA (with Kelly P and Lovell JA agreeing), found that the sentencing judge had not violated any sentencing principles in determining the non-parole period. The Court held that the starting point of five years imprisonment was within the sentencing judge's discretion, considering all of the appellant's personal circumstances and the nature of the offending. Furthermore, the non-parole period, set at approximately 56 per cent of the head sentence, was considered merciful. Accordingly, the Court refused permission to appeal on the grounds raised and dismissed the appeal.