Sentences at the lower end of the available range for serious child sexual offences will not be disturbed on Attorney-General's appeal where the sentencing judge made no error in principle, the sentences were consistent with the Crown Prosecutor's submissions at trial, and significant mitigating factors of advanced age and serious health problems were present. A sentence of 12 years for a male offender aged 68 with serious health problems convicted of multiple rapes and sexual offences against two stepdaughters over seven years, and 7 years for a female offender aged 58 convicted of four rapes and indecent dealing involving her own daughter over two years, were within range.
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