The Fernando principles concerning sentencing of Aboriginal offenders do not require special treatment where the offender comes from an intact and supportive family and there is no evidence linking Aboriginality or socio-economic disadvantage to the offending. The court confirmed that the Fernando factors must be supported by evidence in the individual case. Drug addiction commencing at a very young age and evidence of rehabilitation at the 'crossroads' are mitigating factors of some significance but may be outweighed by the magnitude of offending.
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