Scrivener v Papantaniou

[2009] ACTSC 41

KONI MARGARET SCRIVENER v ELIOTT PAPANTANIOU, LEIGH ANTHONY HEAZLEWOOD and CATHERINE ELIZABETH CORVISY [2009]
ACTSC 41 (15 April 2009)

APPEAL – appeal from decision of the Magistrates Court of the ACT – principles for determining sentencing appeals – Magistrates Court Act 1930 (ACT).

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – refusal of sentencing Magistrate to grant adjournment for preparation of CADAS report – appellant’s history of drug abuse canvassed in pre-sentence report – failure of appellant to provide evidence of rehabilitation intentions – no error by Magistrate.

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – Magistrate’s consideration of alternatives to full-time imprisonment – no obligation to make a deferred sentence order – appellant’s unsuitability for community service work or periodic detention does not entitle her to a more lenient sentence – no error by Magistrate – Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 (ACT), s 10.

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing principles – whether sentences manifestly excessive – offences at lower end of spectrum – inadequacy of information about quantity of heroin – Magistrate’s approach to time in custody – relevance of appellant’s mental or emotional state to theft offence – significance of no time in custody before offence committed – sentencing for Centrelink fraud – term of imprisonment is starting point but not inevitable outcome – sentences on ACT offences manifestly excessive.

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing principles – pleas of guilty – no requirement to give discount or explain why no discount given – Magistrate erred by failing to consider pleas of guilty – Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT) ss 35, 37.

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – totality – no evidence Magistrate failed to apply totality principle properly.

Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 16A
Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT), s 10, 35, 37, 117
Criminal Code 2002 (ACT), s 321
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), ss 135.2, 137.1
Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 (ACT), s 171

Bates v Wheatley [2000] WASCA 38 (18 January 2000)

Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321

DPP (Vic) v Raddino (2002) 128 A Crim R 437
Griffiths v The Queen (1977) 137 CLR 293

House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499

Markarian v The Queen (2006) 228 CLR 357

Mill v R (1988) 166 CLR 59
Taylor v Bowden [2009] ACTSC 13 (2 March 2009)
R v Purdon (unreported, NSWCCA, Hunt, McInerney and Donovan JJ, 27 March 1997)
R v Seckold [2005] ACTSC 34 (18, 22 February 2005)
R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309 (17 August 2000)
R v Tsokos [1995] NSWCA 388 (19 June 1995)
Ring v Beath [2009] ACTSC 19 (16 March 2009)
The Queen v Brewer [2004] ACTCA 10 (1 June 2004)

ON APPEAL FROM THE MAGISTRATES COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

No. SCA 29 of 2008

Judge:             Penfold J
Supreme Court of the ACT

Date:              15 April 2009

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE     )
  )          No. SCA 29 of 2008
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY )          

ON APPEAL FROM THE MAGISTRATES COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

BETWEEN:     KONI MARGARET SCRIVENER
Appellant