A total effective sentence of 15 years' imprisonment with a 10-year non-parole period for persistent sexual abuse of two stepdaughters (aged 11-18) and incest, involving grave offending over approximately six years, is within range. Attempting to differentiate sentences based on purported quantification of relative psychological distress between victims is problematic and does not provide a satisfactory basis for imposing lesser sentences. The designation as a serious sexual offender on one charge but not another is itself sufficient to justify equal sentences where the offending against the second victim might otherwise appear less aggravated.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 25 later cases that cite this judgment.
3 of the 25 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.