The domestic relationship setting of an offence under s 294(1) of the Criminal Code (WA) is not itself an aggravating factor, but the prevalence of domestic violence is not mitigatory and deterrence is required for all serious violence offences. Sentences customarily imposed for s 294(1) offences should not be confined to a subcategory of domestic violence. For offending high on the scale of seriousness just short of the worst category involving sustained knife attacks causing permanent disfigurement and disability, a sentence of 5 years on a guilty plea is manifestly inadequate; 7 years (after 25% discount) is appropriate.
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