The assessment of objective seriousness of a murder offence is a discretionary evaluative judgment reviewable only on House v The King principles. A 15% discount for a guilty plea entered shortly before trial is within the sentencing judge's discretion, even where the delay was attributable to the investigation of mental health issues, because the utilitarian value of the plea diminishes as the trial date approaches. Mental impairment and self-induced intoxication, even where the intoxication is attributable to a deprived upbringing, do not necessarily reduce an offence below the mid-range of objective seriousness.
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