A sentence of 16 years' imprisonment with a 10-year non-parole period for an 18-year-old first offender with limited cognitive capacity who pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences was manifestly excessive. The appropriate sentence was 11 years with a non-parole period of 5 years 6 months. For young offenders with cognitive impairment, general deterrence is materially less important, rehabilitation should be a primary consideration, and a relatively short non-parole period may be appropriate to allow the Parole Board to assess rehabilitative progress.
The full text is available to signed-in members.