The purported 'principle of parsimony' — that the minimum sentence reflecting the objective and subjective features of a case should be imposed — is not a recognised sentencing principle in New South Wales. It is inconsistent with the well-established principle that a range of sentences exists for any offence and that a sentencing judge who imposes a sentence within that range does not err. The observations of Adams J in DB v R; DNN v R [2007] NSWCCA 27 at [10], to the extent they suggest otherwise, should not be followed.
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