The short duration of a sexual assault does not ordinarily reduce its objective seriousness, whether the victim is a child or an adult. Matters personal to the offender, such as offending whilst on conditional liberty, must not be taken into account in the assessment of objective seriousness of the offence. A sentencing judge is not required to identify the absence of every aggravating factor, and a vague assessment of objective seriousness (e.g. 'serious offences of their type') is not erroneous provided the judge has identified the relevant facts, matters and circumstances.
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