Where psychiatric evidence does not establish a causal link between an offender's mental illness and the offence, the sentencing judge is not required to infer such a link merely from the irrationality of the offence and the offender's inability to explain their conduct. General deterrence remains a relevant sentencing consideration, sensibly moderated, for an offender suffering from a mental disorder where the circumstances show the offender was aware of what they were doing. Sentencing statistics may be used as guidance on general trends provided the sentencing judge acknowledges the variables between cases.
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