Following Little v The Queen, it will be an unusual case where a fast-track plea of guilty does not attract a discount of at least 25%, even where the offender was caught red-handed. The policy rationale for the fast-track system demands substantial recognition regardless of the strength of the Crown case. For cooperation discounts, actual verified assistance is required — an intention to assist is insufficient. Personal circumstances of foreign drug couriers, including hardship to family, are ordinarily of little mitigatory consequence.
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