R v Wilkinson

The case of R v Wilkinson involved the sentencing of Neil John Wilkinson for possession of 193 kilograms of methamphetamine for supply. The High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry, presided over the case, which was heard on 12 February 2021. The legal issues included determining the appropriate starting point for sentencing, adjusting the starting point for personal mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and deciding whether to impose a minimum period of imprisonment. The court considered the quantity of the drug, Wilkinson's role in the offending, and personal mitigating and aggravating circumstances. After considering the evidence and submissions from both the Crown and the defence, the court determined a starting point of 22 years' imprisonment, adjusted for personal mitigating and aggravating circumstances, resulting in an end sentence of 17 years and six months' imprisonment. The court also imposed a minimum period of imprisonment of seven years.