A sentence of 7 years' imprisonment for an offence under s 304(2)(b) of the Criminal Code (WA) involving a single blow with a crowbar to the head causing devastating brain injuries and partial paralysis, committed by a young adult offender (18 years) with prior violent offending who was on a supervised release order, is within the customary sentencing range and not manifestly excessive. The mitigating effect of youth must be substantially reduced where the objective seriousness of the offending is high. A single blow causing catastrophic harm is not mitigating; at best it indicates the absence of an aggravating factor.
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