Van Wakeren v R
[2011] NZSC 147
•5 December 2011
| IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND |
| SC 113/2011 [2011] NZSC 147 |
| RONALD VAN WAKEREN |
| v |
| THE QUEEN |
| Court: Blanchard, McGrath and William Young JJ |
| Counsel: Applicant in person |
| Judgment: 5 December 2011 |
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT
The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
REASONS
The applicant is a career criminal with over 200 previous convictions. He is seeking leave to appeal against an aggregate sentence of 12 years, 3 months with an aggregate minimum term of imprisonment of six years imposed by way of cumulative penalties in respect of 70 burglary and dishonesty offences. These involved six episodes of offending, including the burglary of the National Army Museum in which medals of national significance valued at more than $5 million were taken.
The applicant makes a large number of unconvincing criticisms of the Court of Appeal judgment. The sentences imposed in the District Court were carefully reviewed and, where necessary, adjusted by the Court of Appeal.[1] The applicant is seeking in essence a further review by this Court. In the absence of any arguable question of principle or any appearance of a substantial miscarriage of justice in the way in which the total sentence or the total minimum term of imprisonment has been set, it is not in the interests of justice that there should be a further appeal to this Court. The sentences were well merited. The criteria for leave are not met.
[1] Van Wakeren v R [2011] NZCA 503.
Solicitors:
Crown Law Office, Wellington
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