A sentence of 5 years' imprisonment for a s 304(2) Criminal Code (WA) offence involving an unprovoked hammer attack causing catastrophic permanent brain injuries was manifestly inadequate, even accounting for an early guilty plea, remorse, and schizoaffective disorder. The appropriate sentence was 10 years' imprisonment (before the 25% guilty plea discount). Mental illness provides only limited mitigation where the offender has a history of non-compliance with medication and persistent drug abuse, increasing the need for personal deterrence and community protection.
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