A sentence of six months' imprisonment (largely suspended) for digital penetration of a 10-year-old child in breach of trust, representing only 5% of the maximum penalty, is manifestly inadequate even where significant mitigating factors including health problems, remorse, plea of guilty and absence of relevant criminal history are present. General deterrence must be given adequate weight in sentencing for sexual offences against children. Health problems, while relevant to mitigation, do not justify a manifestly inadequate sentence unless the medical evidence establishes the offender cannot cope with custody.
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