Where a sentencing judge's starting point (before discount for a guilty plea) approaches the statutory maximum, an express finding that the offence is in or near the worst category is required; absent such a finding, the sentence will be set aside as manifestly excessive. Victim impact statements, being unsworn and untested by cross-examination, cannot bear substantial weight in establishing matters going to the objective gravity of the offence. Partial accumulation of sentences for multiple offences committed during the same event is not only permissible but may be required to properly reflect the totality of criminality and recognise harm to individual victims.
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