A notional starting point of four years for trafficking in methylamphetamine is manifestly excessive where the offending is low-level, addiction-driven street dealing by a first offender with good rehabilitation prospects and no prior drug convictions. In such cases, a starting point of three years is appropriate, applying R v Young. Firearms offences committed separately from drug trafficking offences warrant cumulative sentences even where the firearms are inoperable, given the imperative of deterrence for firearms offending.
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