Voluntary surrender to police after absconding on bail does not constitute 'assistance to authorities' under s 23 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW); it is relevant only to contrition. Rehabilitation achieved while absconding on bail must be given substantially reduced weight. The strength of the prosecution case is irrelevant to the utilitarian value of a guilty plea. Where an offender commits a separate offence of violence while on bail, the principle of totality will generally require full or substantial accumulation of sentences.
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