Sentences of 6 months' imprisonment for stealing property valued under $1,000 (shoplifting and petrol theft) are manifestly excessive where the offences are not of particular seriousness, the offender pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and the offender has no prior custodial history. Where such offences are dealt with on indictment via a s 32 notice alongside a more serious offence, sentences in the order of weeks rather than months may be appropriate.
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