A refusal to grant even a short adjournment during sentencing to obtain readily available evidence on a matter material to the exercise of the sentencing discretion may constitute a denial of natural justice warranting appellate intervention, particularly where there is no prejudice to the prosecution or the court's list. Section 17 of the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT) permits consideration of matters beyond those listed in s 17(3)(a)-(c), including the effect of a conviction on immigration prospects (via s 17(4) and s 33(1)(r)). Victim support letters in domestic violence cases should be used cautiously and only for limited factual purposes, not to influence the severity of sentence.
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