Where an offender elects not to give evidence at a sentencing hearing and declines to participate in a record of interview, a sentencing judge should exercise considerable caution before accepting self-serving hearsay assertions — whether from the bar table or pre-sentence reports — as to the offender's limited knowledge, role, or lack of remuneration, particularly where the offender has a record of dishonesty. The Crown's failure to formally controvert such assertions does not necessarily validate them or preclude challenge on appeal. A discount of 30% for assistance to authorities is excessive where the assistance is limited to intelligence gathering and the offender refuses to give evidence against co-offenders.
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