Evidence of domestic violence and battered persons syndrome suffered by an offender during the period of offending is a significant mitigating factor in sentencing for fraud, capable of taking the offending out of the worst category and warranting both a reduced head sentence and earlier parole eligibility. Where a solicitor advises against raising domestic violence at sentence, this may constitute a basis for admitting fresh evidence on appeal under the Maniadis test. The combination of battered persons syndrome with other mitigating features (no prior convictions, early guilty plea, cooperation) may justify parole eligibility earlier than the one-third mark commonly given for timely guilty pleas.
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