The Queensland Court of Appeal held that a 12-month sentence of imprisonment suspended after 6 months for 2 years for stealing approximately $8,000 as a servant was somewhat heavy in the circumstances, having regard to the applicant's prior good character, early guilty plea, and comparable sentences. The Court varied the sentence by removing the suspension order and instead recommending parole eligibility after 3 months, observing that a suspended sentence may in substance be more onerous than a straight sentence of imprisonment for the same period.
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