Where an offender's role in hindering investigation was limited to going along with a deception initiated by others, did not involve making false statements at the scene, and did not actually affect the investigation, the offence is at the lower end of seriousness under s 315 of the Crimes Act 1900. A sentencing judge who forms an adverse view of an offender's credibility based on factually erroneous findings — particularly where the error is attributable to inadequate assistance from counsel — commits appealable error that significantly affects the sentencing decision.
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