The burden rests on the offender to establish a causal link between mental disorders and the offending in order to engage Verdins principles 1, 2, 3 and 5 (reduced moral culpability and moderation of deterrence). A forensic report prepared for Family Court proceedings addressing risk to children has little probative value on the question of risk of reoffending against a former partner. A total effective sentence of 4 years and 6 months with a 3-year non-parole period for aggravated burglary in a family violence context involving restraint but relatively minimal physical injury, where the offender has no prior convictions and strong prior good character, is arguably manifestly excessive.
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