A sentence of 10 years imprisonment for manslaughter arising from an unprovoked, gratuitous attack with a pool cue causing death, where the offender had a bad criminal history and was on probation, is within the proper sentencing range. The sentencing judge's discretion in manslaughter cases is comparatively wide given the infinite variety of circumstances. Reducing an otherwise appropriate sentence to avoid the automatic serious violent offender declaration under Part 9A of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) would subvert the legislative intent.
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