Voluntary confessions to police of sexual offences that would not otherwise have been identified require an element of leniency additional to the mitigating effects of a guilty plea, and this is particularly so where the admissions form the sole basis for conviction on some counts. However, a victim's wish that the offender not be imprisoned does not govern the sentencing approach; the court must balance the victim's attitude against the requirements of denunciation and general deterrence. A total effective sentence of seven years and two months with a non-parole period of three years and six months was within range for 14 counts of incest and indecent assault against four daughters over nine years, notwithstanding the offender's voluntary confession at age 70, delay of over 20 years, and three victims' opposition to imprisonment.
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