When an offender commits a further offence while on parole, the preferable course is to impose a cumulative rather than concurrent sentence, because a concurrent sentence obscures the effective penalty for the new offence and risks distorting sentencing tariffs. A sentence of 8½ years for possession of 15.9 grams of pure heroin (street value $50,000-$100,000) by a persistent recidivist was appropriate, but must be cumulative upon the earlier sentence. Section 157(3)(a) of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) has no application where the earlier sentencing court did not make a specific parole recommendation.
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