Where a co-offender has received a substantial discount for assistance to authorities and early pleas, the parity principle does not require that the principal offender receive a lesser sentence than the discounted sentence of the co-offender. The sentencing judge must assess relative culpability and the different discount entitlements of each offender. The acquiescence doctrine in Crown appeals has less force where the dispute concerns the length of a custodial sentence rather than whether a custodial sentence should be imposed at all.
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