The 'out of character' exception for self-induced intoxication in sentencing for offences of violence, including sexual assault, is a narrow one with rare application. The context of a relationship between offender and victim provides no real assistance on sentence where the offences involve significant violence and infliction of injury. A lesser penalty for assistance to authorities must not fall below the statutory floor of being unreasonably disproportionate to the nature and circumstances of the offence under s.23(3) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.
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