A sentence of 18 months on each count (partially accumulated, with 12 months' custody) for social security fraud totalling over $86,000 over nearly three years was upheld as unremarkable, notwithstanding strong subjective circumstances including the effect on dependent children. The hardship to the applicant's children, while distressing, did not constitute exceptional circumstances sufficient to displace the requirement for a custodial sentence for fraud of this magnitude. Sentencing judges must expose their reasoning on subjective matters and the effect on dependants, but failure to do so does not require resentencing where no lesser sentence is warranted.
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