Where the offence of torture under s 320A of the Criminal Code (Qld) is at the lower end of the scale of severity — limited to a series of punches on one occasion — a sentence of three and a half years imprisonment (against a maximum of 14 years) is appropriate. In the absence of established sentencing guidelines for a relatively new offence, courts may legitimately compare sentences for other intentional offences involving the infliction of serious injury to the person, such as intentionally doing grievous bodily harm under s 317.
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