A total effective sentence of 3 years and 6 months' imprisonment for five counts of indecent act with a child under 16 (maximum 10 years each), involving escalating offending over seven years in breach of parental trust, was within the available range notwithstanding mitigatory factors including a guilty plea, remorse, rehabilitation prospects and COVID-19 conditions. Comparable sentences for offences carrying lower maximum penalties are of limited utility. Where a sentencing judge's reasons for rejecting a suspended sentence apply equally to a combination sentence, the failure to specifically address the combination sentence option does not constitute error.
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