Consideration
54 It is well accepted principle that, whereas general deterrence is a relevant consideration in every sentencing exercise, it is a consideration to which less weight should be given in the case of an offender suffering from a mental disorder or severe intellectual handicap: Regina v Letteri (per Badgery-Parker J) cited by Gleeson CJ in Engert (supra).
55 The reason for this approach was referred to by Wood CJ at CL in Regina v Henry [1999] NSWCCA 111; (1999) 46 NSWLR 346 at [254] in the following terms:-
"The reason for this approach lies in the circumstances that the community will readily understand that the offender who suffers from a mental disorder or abnormality is left in control of his or her cognitive facilities or emotional restraints, and in some instances lacks the ability to make reasoned or ordered judgments. Almost invariably there is a limited appreciation of the wrongfulness of the act, or of its moral culpability, which although falling short of avoiding criminal responsibility does not justify special consideration upon sentencing. Moreover, such condition is inherent and its presence does not depend upon any element of choice."
56 See also Israil (supra) at [21] per Spigelman CJ. In that case, Spigelman CJ observed that mental illness may not only impact on the sentencing exercise by less weight being given to the issue of general deterrence but additionally, to the extent that mental illness explains the offence, then an offender's inability to understand the wrongfulness of his actions, or to make reasonable judgments, or to control his or her faculties or emotions "… will impact on the level of culpability of the offender, even where the illness does not amount to an excuse at law" (at [23]).
57 The Chief Justice also there expressly agreed with the following observations of Malcolm CJ in Regina v Lauritsen [2000] WASCA 203; (2000) 114 A Crim R 333 at [48]:-
"… mental illness is not only relevant to assessing culpability, in which case it must be shown to have contributed to the offence, but it is also relevant to assessing the level of danger the offender presents and the appropriate way in which the offender is to be rehabilitated. The mental illness should be taken into account in sentencing whether or not it played a part in the commission of the offence, but not with the consequence of the imposition of a sentence which exceeds the seriousness of the offence."
58 Apart from the issue of general deterrence, the effects of mental disorder or abnormality in terms of the ability to control cognitive faculties or emotional restraints or in the exercise of reasonable or ordered judgments are also to be considered in relation to the issue of personal or specific deterrence. This is particularly so where the disability or limited intellectual functioning is such that the offender may not fully appreciate, or understand, the nature of his or her offending, or of the message, which the sentence is expected to convey: Regina v Matthews [2004] NSWCCA 112; (2004) 145 A Crim R 445 per Wood CJ at CL at [23]. See also Regina v Scognamiglio (supra); Anderson (supra) at 160 to 161; (1980) 2 A Crim R 379 at 383 to 384; Regina v Champion (1992) 64 A Crim R 244 and Regina v Kilmartin (1989) 41 A Crim R 22.
59 In Matthews (supra), Wood CJ at CL emphasised at [26] that each case will depend upon the nature and degree of the impairment, the extent of its contribution to the offence, and whether or not the sentence can be seen, in the particular circumstances, of that case to have a deterrent value, either specifically or generally.
60 The Crown referred to the principles as restated by the Victorian Court of Appeal in The Queen v Verdins [2007] VSCA 102 at [32] (Maxwell P, Buchanan and Vincent JJA) in the following terms:-
"Impaired mental functioning, whether temporary or permanent ('the condition'), is relevant to sentencing in at least the following six ways:-
1. The condition may reduce the moral culpability of the offending conduct, as distinct from the offender's legal responsibility. Where that is so, the condition affects the punishment that is just in all the circumstances; and denunciation is less likely to be a relevant sentencing objective.
2. The condition may have a bearing on the kind of sentence that is imposed and the conditions in which it should be served.
3. Whether general deterrence should be moderated or eliminated as a sentencing consideration depends upon the nature and severity of the symptoms exhibited by the offender, and the effect of the condition on the mental capacity of the offender, whether at the time of the offending or at the date of sentence, or both.
4. Whether specific deterrence should be moderated or eliminated as a sentencing consideration likewise depends upon the nature and severity of the symptoms of the condition as exhibited by the offender, and the effect of the condition on the mental capacity of the offender, whether at the time of the offending or at the date of sentence, or both.
5. The existence of the condition as at the date of sentencing (or its foreseeable recurrence) may mean that a given sentence will weigh more heavily on the offender than it would on a person in normal health.
6. Where there is a serious risk of imprisonment having a significant adverse effect on the offender's mental health, this will be a factor tending to mitigate punishment."
61 Finally, it is only necessary to add, however, the observation of Howie J in Courtney v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 195; (2007) 172 A Crim R 371 at [83], namely, that, even though mental illness may reduce a person's culpability, that does not necessarily result in a lesser sentence.
62 In the present case, the Crown acknowledged that the applicant suffered from a mental illness but it contended that it was clear that he, at the time of the offences, knew what he was doing and was aware of the gravity of his action. The applicant stated to police, as recorded in the record of interview, that when he heard the police sirens "I was over the limit and what I had possession of" (the loaded rifle). This was consistent with the note made by Professor Greenberg in his report that the applicant had told him that his reason "… for taking off from the Police was that he knew that he had been drinking alcohol and had a loaded rifle in his motor car" (p.5).
63 The Crown also observed that there is no evidence of a risk of adverse effect of imprisonment on the applicant. He had been in custody for approximately 11 months as at the date of sentence and no adverse impact to his mental health had arisen as indicated by Dr Nielssen's statement that, at the time of interview, he had largely recovered from the acute phase of mental illness.
64 The facts established by the evidence in this case that are relevant to the nature and degree of the impairment, the extent of its contribution to the offences, and whether or not the sentences imposed can be seen, in the circumstances of the case, to be reasonably proportionate to the criminality involved and to have a deterrent value (either specifically or generally) include the following:-