A sentencing judge who formulates and discloses a firm view as to the appropriate penalty before ascertaining all relevant facts and hearing submissions commits an abdication of the proper exercise of the sentencing discretion. 'Proper grounds' for excusal of a breach of a suspended sentence bond under s 58(3)(a) of the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act 1988 (SA) are confined to the nature and circumstances of the breach and do not extend to extraneous matters such as time spent in custody on remand for the breaching offence or the offender's personal circumstances. A sentence equivalent to six months' imprisonment for assisting an offender where the principal offence is murder is manifestly inadequate.
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