A sentencing judge who uses comparable sentencing decisions to identify a sentencing range must explain the features of those cases that support the identified range, and must not use materially dissimilar cases (particularly where the offender's age, mental condition and moral culpability differ significantly) to constrain the sentencing outcome. The presumption of harm to child victims applies equally to cybersex offences as to in-person sexual offences. For Commonwealth offences, the utilitarian value of a guilty plea should be quantified in accordance with principles applicable to State offences.
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