R v Roy Sidney Bruce Nichols

The case of R v Roy Sidney Bruce Nichols involved Roy Sidney Bruce Nichols and Scott Anthony Piggott who were convicted in the Auckland District Court of attempting to smuggle parrot eggs into New Zealand. The convictions arose from their alleged attempt to smuggle parrot eggs from Bangkok to New Zealand. The appeal was heard on the papers by the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, consisting of Blanchard J, McGrath J, and Glazebrook J. The appellants argued that the judge's summing up was unfairly biased against the defence case and that the defence was not properly put to the jury. They also appealed against their sentences, arguing that the sentences imposed were excessive.

The court found that the judge did put the essentials of the defence case to the jury and directed them correctly as to the approach they were to take. The primary issue for the jury was whether they believed the courier, Ms Jackson. The court also found that the judge was not unfairly biased against the defence case and that the praise for the investigator was only a brief comment on the way the exhibits had been prepared and did not suggest to the jury how they were to be interpreted.

The court found that the sentence of two and a half years' imprisonment imposed on Mr Nichols was not inappropriate and perhaps even light. The court was not persuaded that the detention should be treated as the equivalent of remand in custody. The court also found that the sentence imposed on Mr Piggott was not manifestly excessive and that the judge's decision not to grant leave to apply for home detention should not be disturbed.

In conclusion, the appeals against conviction and sentence for both Mr Nichols and Mr Piggott were dismissed.