Where an offender's ultimate conviction substantially reflects a previously rejected plea offer, the sentencing court must give material weight to the utilitarian benefit of that offer, even where the offender subsequently contested the charge at trial. The weight to be given varies with factors including the length and complexity of the avoided trial, the benefit of avoiding stress to victims and witnesses, and the freeing up of resources, but there must be some material weight. A sentencing judge who treats a rejected plea offer as of 'very little value' solely because the offender subsequently contested the charge and showed no remorse commits specific error. Separately, treating the fact of offending on bail as an aggravating factor on the substantive charge does not constitute double punishment where the separate bail offence is sentenced with appropriate moderation.
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