The Court synthesised eight propositions governing the relevance of Aboriginality and disadvantaged background to sentencing, holding that while such factors must be taken into account, their mitigating weight correspondingly decreases as an offender's criminal history grows and considerations of deterrence and community protection become increasingly important. Where an offender intends to cause really serious injury, the fact that the precise nature or extent of catastrophic injuries was not foreseen will not ordinarily reduce culpability. The Crown prosecutor's refusal to assist on sentencing range when requested does not necessarily preclude a successful Crown appeal on manifest inadequacy. Where co-offenders act in concert, the difference between intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury does not necessarily require different sentences.
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