R v Marshall
[2024] NSWDC 73
At a glance
Source factsCourt
District Court of NSW
Decision date
2023-10-17
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (15 paragraphs)
Judgment
- The offender pleaded guilty in the Local Court and was committed for sentence in respect of three offences. The first two were offences of dangerous driving occasioning death contrary to section 52A(1)(c) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). Each of these offences carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. The third offence was one of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death contrary to section 52AB(1) of the Crimes Act 1900. That offence also carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
- There is an additional matter before the Court pursuant to a certificate under section 166 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), namely, driving having never been licensed contrary to section 53(3) of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW). That offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units in the case of a first offence and 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months or both in respect of a second or subsequent offence. This is the second such offence for the offender.
- Each of these offences also attracts a licence disqualification. I will deal with that at the end of my reasons.
- The offender has maintained his plea before me. He is entitled to a discount of 25% to reflect the utilitarian value of that plea.
- The offender is a young man. He was 18 at the time of the offence, which was 14 April 2022. The victims of his crimes, Malakai Williams-Rigby and Callan Newton-Swain were even younger. They were 15 years old. This is a tragic case and presents a very difficult sentencing process. The seriousness of these offences involving the loss of life of two boys and the consequences of that to their family, friends and the community require yet another young man to go to jail. The length of his sentence depends upon a balance of many factors that each pull in different directions. It is necessary to start with an analysis of the facts.