The case confirms that a sentencing judge's findings regarding the application of Verdins principles to drug-induced psychosis, and the extent to which moral culpability is reduced and general deterrence moderated, are matters of weight not capable of precise quantification. The case also reaffirms that the offence of aggravated burglary is inherently serious and sentences must reflect both objective seriousness and general deterrence, even where Verdins principles moderate the latter. A drug-induced psychosis may engage Verdins principles where the offender lacked insight into the psychotic state and did not know that drug use would cause irrational behaviour, with the onus on the offender to establish that lack of knowledge on the balance of probabilities.
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