A sentence of 7 years (NPP 3 years 3 months) for manslaughter of a child almost two years old by sustained and gratuitous cruelty was manifestly inadequate even allowing for a strong subjective case including youth (18), Aboriginality, borderline personality disorder, and harsh conditions on strict protection. The Fernando principles may be developed to encompass the combined effect of Aboriginality, racial vilification, and resulting personality disorder, but this does not displace the requirement that the sentence reflect objectively grave criminality.
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