The requirement under s 150(2) of the Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld) to have 'primary regard' to the impact of the offence on a victim means the sentencing judge must consider that impact as a feature of the highest importance in the overall balancing exercise, but it does not relieve the judge of the obligation to weigh all other relevant factors under s 150, and cannot be allowed to overwhelm the sentencing process. The increased maximum penalties under s 175A are an indication that sentences should be increased, but the amendments do not require a child to be sentenced as an adult. For a 14-year-old child with no prior criminal history, nine months in actual detention for grievous bodily harm committed during a home invasion was not manifestly inadequate, notwithstanding the serious impact on the elderly victims.
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