A sentencing judge's finding of 'little prospect of rehabilitation' for a young offender is reasonably open where the offender has extensive prior convictions, escalating sentences with no deterrent effect, unresolved drug issues, and lack of community support. R v Mills does not establish rehabilitation as invariably the overriding sentencing consideration for youthful offenders; the weight to be given to rehabilitation relative to other considerations including specific deterrence, general deterrence, denunciation and community protection remains a matter for the sentencing judge's discretion.
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