NSWNSWDC
R v Borg
[2023] NSWDC 369
District Court of NSW|2023-07-18|Before: Mr J
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Source factsCourt
District Court of NSW
Decision date
2023-07-18
Before
Mr J
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (15 paragraphs)
[1]
Background
- The appellant appeals (by leave granted on 18 July 2023) from his conviction at Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on 21 November 2022 of two offences of common assault contrary to s 61 of the Crimes Act 1900. The appellant was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 10 months imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive corrections order (ICO) which imposed conditions including community service and complying with a relevant treatment plan.
- The assaults, committed on an indigenous juvenile, occurred whilst the appellant was performing duties as a New South Wales police officer. The first assault was particularly violent involving an unprovoked kick to the victim's face whilst in police custody. The second assault involved the appellant spitting on the victim again whilst in police custody.
- The appellant admits the offences occurred in circumstances where the entire episode was captured on an optical surveillance device and observed by a fellow police officer. However, the appellant contended before the learned Magistrate that, given he was suffering from a mental health impairment, the proceedings ought to be dismissed and the defendant discharged on various conditions pursuant to s 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (the MHCIFP Act).
- The Crown concedes that on all the evidence the appellant was suffering a mental health impairment but contends that, given the overall circumstances, an order under s 14 of the MHCIFP Act was not an appropriate vehicle for dealing with the appellant.
[2]