In sentencing for historical sexual offences against children committed over 30 years ago, general deterrence and denunciation must be given considerable emphasis notwithstanding the offender's advanced age, absence of subsequent offending, and evidence of rehabilitation. The serious sexual offender provisions in Part 2A of the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic) apply regardless of when the offences were committed. Where an offender's lack of criminal record over a lengthy period suggests rehabilitation, specific deterrence may be given little weight, but this does not diminish the weight to be given to general deterrence and denunciation.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 11 later cases that cite this judgment.