A sentencing judge who identifies exceptional subjective features (immediate admissions, early guilty plea, genuine remorse, voluntary counselling) in a child sexual assault case does not err by imposing a substantial sentence that reflects the objective seriousness of the offending, provided the sentencing remarks demonstrate that the exceptional features were properly balanced against that seriousness. Pre-standard non-parole period sentencing statistics are of very limited utility for offences committed after 1 February 2003.
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