A sentencing judge must first assess the objective seriousness of the offence and determine the appropriate term of imprisonment before considering whether to suspend the sentence under s 12 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999; commencing the reasoning process from the premise that the sentence will be suspended is a fundamental error. Where a guilty plea is withheld as a bargaining tool pending resolution of other charges, the plea has limited utilitarian value and a 25% discount is not warranted merely because the plea was entered at the first opportunity after the Crown resolved the other matter. The standard non-parole period remains relevant as a guidepost even where the offender has pleaded guilty.
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