The parity principle does not require similar sentences where co-offenders occupy significantly different positions in a criminal enterprise — a principal/entrepreneur may receive a sentence many times greater than an aider whose role was much less, provided the disparity is rationally explained by differences in participation and subjective circumstances. A history of driving whilst disqualified may properly be characterised as demonstrating a 'disregard for the law' without constituting impermissible use of prior convictions as an aggravating factor.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 5 later cases that cite this judgment.
2 of the 5 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.