[2025] WASC 324
General information, not legal advice.
Supreme Court of WA
2025-08-14
Lemonis J
Original judgment source is linked above.
(a) that persons with mental impairment should be subject to the least possible restriction on their freedom consistent with the protection of the community;
(e) that persons with mental impairment in the justice system should not be subject to outcomes under this Act that restrict their freedom more severely than if they had been convicted of the offence that they have been found to have, or are alleged to have, committed;
(a) not guilty (other than under s 27 of the Code);
(b) not guilty on account of mental impairment under s 27 of the Code; or
(c) committed the offence charged or another offence which, on the charge, the accused might be found to have committed.
Before making an extended custody order, the court must be satisfied, by acceptable and cogent evidence and to a high degree of probability, that, to ensure the adequate protection of the community against an unacceptable risk that the supervised person will commit a serious offence, it is necessary to make an extended custody order in respect of the supervised person.
A reference in this Act to the commission of an offence includes, in relation to a person who has been acquitted of the offence on account of mental impairment, a reference to the doing of the act or the making of the omission that would have constituted the offence of which the person was acquitted. (emphasis added)
An offender is a high risk serious offender if the court dealing with an application under this Act finds that it is satisfied, by acceptable and cogent evidence and to a high degree of probability, that it is necessary to make a restriction order in relation to the offender to ensure adequate protection of the community against an unacceptable risk that the offender will commit a serious offence. (emphasis in lines 3 - 5 added)
High risk serious offender assessment under the HRSO Act
Whether or not a risk that an offender will commit a 'serious offence' is 'unacceptable' is a question which requires the court's judgment as to the nature and extent of the possible harm. The assessment of the nature and extent of the possible harm directs attention to the possible serious offences that might be committed and the harm they may cause. It also directs attention to the likelihood that the offender might commit such offences (that is, the likelihood the risk might eventuate). The extent to which deterrent factors have operated to reduce risk in the past feeds into the assessment of current and future risk, as does the offender's historical and current response to rehabilitation. These are all factors that inform the assessment of whether the risk is 'unacceptable '...
If the risk is found to be 'unacceptable', the nature and extent of that unacceptable risk then informs the assessment of whether a restriction order is necessary to ensure adequate protection of the community ...
Applicable principles pertaining to whether to make an ECO
Evidence to be adduced at the hearing and matters to consider
Things that the court may receive in evidence for the purpose of determining the application include the following -
(a) any document relevant to the supervised person's antecedents or criminal record;
(b) anything relevant contained in the official transcript of any relevant proceeding against the person;
(c) any relevant material that was tendered to the court, or that informed the court, in a relevant proceeding against the person;
(d) any report that a psychiatrist, psychologist or other appropriate expert prepares under this Part and the extent to which the person cooperated when the expert examined the person;
(e) any other medical, psychiatric, psychological or other assessment relating to the person;
(f) information indicating whether or not the person has a propensity to engage in conduct that could constitute a serious offence in the future;
(g) information indicating whether or not there is any pattern of offending behaviour on the part of the person.
(a) the protection of the community;
(b) the nature of the offence and the circumstances of its commission;
(c) the person's character, antecedents, age and health;
(d) the nature of the person's mental impairment;
(e) the relationship between the mental impairment and the offending conduct;
(f) the degree of risk that the person appears to present to themself or the safety of the community because of their mental impairment;
(g) the extent to which adequate resources are available for the treatment, care and support of the person in the community;
Much of his risk pertained to his sheer volume of sexual offences, history of violence and general offending and [the respondent's] offending of exposing himself to unrelated and stranger victims.
... his overall high risk of reoffending raises concerns about the possibility of escalating to more serious offending. This risk intensifies if he lacks adequate support, monitoring, and supervision. Factors that could contribute to an escalation include the respondent's reckless public sexual offences, particularly around children, which could potentially lead to physical offences, as well as his history of threatening behaviour involving weapons such as scissors, susceptibility to antisocial influences, and his severe behavioural regulation issues, especially when under the influence of substances.
An extended custody order enables [the respondent] to stay at the DJC until appropriate NDIS funding is secured and a suitable service is found to manage his community risk effectively. At present, these matters remain unresolved. Moving the respondent into the community without adequate support significantly heightens his likelihood of reoffending.
[The respondent] is most likely to re-offend similarly to previous offending by taking off his clothes, exposing himself and making threats to harm others and himself. He may also respond violently when arrested. This scenario is worsened when in public and when intoxicated. DJC staff currently manage this sort of behaviour.
... Cognitively he was illiterate and innumerate and had impairments in memory, reasoning and executive function. Socially he was unable to form and maintain connections with others, communicate his needs adequately or empathise with others. Functionally he was unable to attend to his basic needs and activities of daily life without considerable support and his behaviour often resulted in risks to himself and others.
... His substance use has been strongly associated with risk behaviours including self harm, antisocial behaviour and violence throughout his life. His disability makes him less able to exercise good judgements about lifestyle choices, manage impulse control or learn new ways to manage stress, making sustained abstinence very difficult. the respondent requires external supports and strategies to limit access to substances and meet his needs in other ways.
It is apparent that [the respondent] is unable to adhere to community based orders, as he lacks the cognitive capacity to understand and retain information concerning the conditions or the ability to manage his own impulse control or abstain from substance use...
Risk scenarios: The most likely community scenario based on the information available [would be] the respondent dropping his trousers and exposing himself or masturbating in front of a support worker, member of the public or member of the emergency services. This is most likely to occur when disinhibited through intoxication and/or stress but could also occur at other times. He appeared to have developed a habitual pattern where he also engaged in this type of behaviour when bored or in protest, or sometimes for no apparent reason. This behaviour is likely to be fairly imminent after release without a high level of support and supervision.
[The respondent] had a reported pattern of threatening and nuisance behaviours predominantly occurring under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. Episodes of violence, obscene gestures and exposing himself also appeared more frequent when intoxicated but were also formulated as a way to signal dislike of authority figures and manage conflict. The evidence supported the forensic psychological assessment that his sexual behaviours were not believed to arise from primary hypersexuality.
In an escalation scenario it is possible he might grab, touch or try to sexually assault a female. This is more likely to occur when alone with a female, such as on public transport. This behaviour is more likely to occur if released without an adequate support and supervision plan in place although the frequency of this behaviour may be low. Escalation to serious physical violence in the context of a sexual offence is relatively unlikely but cannot be completely excluded. Any of these behaviours may be perceived as very psychologically distressing to victims, particularly if a young lone female.
Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment Report dated 15 April 2025
Disability Justice Service (DJS) report supporting extension of orders dated 13 March 2025
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] Respondent's submissions dated 26 May 2025, par 10.
[2] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, pages 75 - 90; Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, pages 120 - 149.
[3] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, pages 1278 - 1293.
[4] Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1294.
[5] Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act 1996 (WA), s 35 (repealed Act).
[6] See State of Western Australia v Chokolich [2024] WASC 346 [49] (Chokolich).
[20] See by analogy in respect of the HRSO Act, Garlett v Western Australia [2022] HCA 30 [45] ‑ [56] (Kiefel CJ, Keane and Steward JJ).
[29] CLMI Act, s 50(4) permits the court to order that the term be taken to have commenced on an earlier day, taking into account any time that the person has already spent in custody in relation to the offence.
[32] Mental Impairment Review Tribunal Report to Minister, Book of Materials, Vol 1, pages 250 - 259.
[34] See also s 107(1) re the making of interim custody orders. Section 107(1) permits the Minister to apply for an interim custody order where a 'current custody order' will, or is likely to, expire before an application for an ECO is determined.
[35] See CLMI Act, s 102(a), which defines a custody order for the purposes of Part 7 to include a reference to an extended custody order unless the contrary intention appears. An application for an extended custody order is made under s 105, which appears in Part 7. Thus, an application can be made under s 105 to extend an extended custody order.
[47] HRSO Act, s 35(1) provides that an application for the restriction order may be brought in respect of a 'serious offender under custodial sentence', which is defined in s 3 by reference to the person having previously committed a serious offence. Further, while the State may also apply under s 36(2) where the person is subject to a supervision order, that supervision order will have been made on a previous application under s 35(1), or under the corresponding provisions in the now repealed Dangerous Sex Offenders Act 2006 (WA).
[48] HRSO Act, see the definition of restriction order in s 3.
[56] Garlett [85] citing The State of Western Australia v Patrick [No 5] [2022] WASC 61 [56].
[57] The State of Western Australia v Williams [No 2] [2024] WASC 215 [39] - [40].
[58] Williams [No 2] [39] - [40].
[59] Garlett [73] and [84] (Kiefel CJ, Keane and Steward JJ).
[60] Garlett [73] (Kiefel CJ, Keane and Steward JJ).
[61] Garlett [73] (Kiefel CJ, Keane and Steward JJ).
[62] See, in relation to a supervision order under the HRSO Act, Williams [No 2] [52].
[63] Director of Public Prosecutions (WA) v GTR [2008] WASCA 187 [28].
[66] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 76, par 2; Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1280, par 7.
[67] Guardianship Order, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1385.
[68] Administration Order, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1384.
[69] See for example, Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1280, par 6.
[70] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 133, pars 81 - 82.
[71] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 134, pars 73 - 74.
[72] Prosecution Notice and Statements of Material Facts, Book of Materials Vol 1, pages 441 - 450.
[73] Statement of Material Facts, Book of Materials Vol 1, page 313.
[74] Applicant's submissions, pars 52(b), (e), (f) and (g).
[75] Applicant's submissions, pars 52(c) and (i).
[76] Applicant's submissions, par 53(h).
[77] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1286, par 43.
[78] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1287, par 45.
[79] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1287, par 45.
[80] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1287, par 48.
[81] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1288, par 52.
[82] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1290, par 57.
[83] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1290, par 58.
[84] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1291, pars 59 - 60.
[85] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1292, par 66.
[86] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1292, par 72.
[87] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1292, par 70.
[88] Report of Dr Galloghly dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1292, par 71.
[89] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 85, par 63(i).
[90] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 85, par 63(ii).
[91] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 89, par 88.
[92] Report of Dr Tate dated 14 August 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 89, pars 89 - 90.
[93] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 137, par 108.
[94] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 139, par 115.
[95] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 139, par 116.
[96] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 140, pars 124 - 126.
[97] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, pages 147 - 148, par 165.
[98] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 148, par 168.
[99] The report commences at Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1294.
[100] Applicant's submissions, par 62.
[101] Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment, Book of Materials Vol 2, pages 1296 - 1297.
[102] Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1297.
[103] Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1297.
[104] Adult Community Corrections Extended Order Assessment, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1299.
[105] The report commences at Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1216.
[106] DJS Report dated 13 March 2025, Book of Materials Vol 2, page 1218, par 13.
[107] DJS Report dated 13 March 2025, Book of Materials Vol 2, pages 1229 - 1230.
[108] DJS Report dated 13 March 2025, Book of Materials Vol 2, pages 1231 - 1232.
[109] Report of Dr Vidovich dated 12 January 2012, Book of Materials Vol 2, pages 1162.
[110] Report of Dr Vidovich dated 16 June 2023, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1169, par 49.
[111] Email of 28 May 2025 from Ms Davie, Acting Team Leader, to CLMI Services to Ms Fleur Allen.
[114] Dr Galloghly's Report dated 8 April 2025, Book of Materials, Vol 2, page 1289, par 55.
[115] Report of Dr Tate dated 10 October 2024, Book of Materials, Vol 1, page 140, par 126.
[116] Respondent's submissions, par 14.