The parity principle requires that sentencing differentials between co-offenders adequately reflect distinguishing features including the timing and utilitarian value of guilty pleas, prior criminal history, and individual mitigating circumstances. However, in cases of extreme seriousness where general deterrence is paramount, matters of individual difference carry relatively less weight, resulting in modest differentials even on resentencing. The onus remains on the defence to establish disputed mitigating facts on the balance of probabilities; assertions from the Bar table not supported by evidence and disputed by the Crown are insufficient.
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