A sentencer who contemplates relying on perceived community attitudes as a sentencing factor must disclose those views to defence counsel and afford an opportunity to address them before sentencing; failure to do so constitutes a breach of natural justice. Community views are a relevant but not paramount sentencing consideration, and must be established through proper evidence rather than the sentencer's own local knowledge. An offer to pay compensation, and actual payments made, must be taken into account as a mitigating factor in sentencing.
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