For unprovoked, alcohol-fuelled assaults on taxi drivers causing grievous bodily harm, immediate release on parole is manifestly inadequate even for young first offenders with strong mitigating factors; a period of actual imprisonment is required to reflect general deterrence. The principle from DPP v Lawrence — that youth and rehabilitation must be subjugated to deterrence for serious violent offences — applies to assaults on vulnerable members of the public performing public services. The fact that an offender has been on parole for several months following an Attorney-General's appeal does not of itself warrant exercise of the residual discretion, though it may moderate the period of actual imprisonment imposed on resentencing.
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