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[2020] WASCA 186
Court of Appeal (WA)
2020-11-16
Buss P
Original judgment source is linked above.
(a) on count 6, Mr Pyu was found not guilty of the alleged circumstance of aggravation (namely, that he was allegedly armed with an offensive weapon, being a knife); and
(b) on count 10, Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu were found not guilty of the alleged circumstance of aggravation that they were armed with an offensive weapon, being a knife.
(a) each of counts 1, 2 and 3: 10 years' imprisonment;
(b) each of counts 4, 5 and 9: 20 years' imprisonment;
(c) each of counts 6, 7 and 8: 14 years' imprisonment; and
(a) count 1: 12 months (reduced from 2 years in the application of the totality principle);
(a) count 1: 12 months (reduced from 2 years in the application of the totality principle);
(f) count 8: 4 years 4 months (reduced from 4 years 10 months in the application of the totality principle); and
The trial judge's sentencing remarks and the personal circumstances of Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu
(a) a presentence report dated 16 May 2019 and a psychological report dated 9 May 2019 from Dr Tarmala Caple, a forensic psychologist, in relation to Mr Hussian;
(b) a presentence report dated 9 May 2019 and a psychological report dated 8 May 2019 from Cinzia Zuin, a psychologist, in relation to Mr Pyu; and
(c) a victim impact statement dated 17 April 2019 from S.
The grounds of appeal: counsel for the State's submissions
The grounds of appeal: counsel for Mr Hussian's submissions
The grounds of appeal: counsel for Mr Pyu's submissions
(a) the likelihood that Mr Pyu will be deported upon his release from prison, regardless of the length of his sentence;
(b) thereafter, Mr Pyu will be excluded permanently from the Australian community; and
(c) the real possibility of discrimination against Mr Pyu following his return to Myanmar,
it would be appropriate for this court to exercise its residual discretion and dismiss the appeal.
Ground 1 of the State's appeals: some general principles
(a) a judge sentencing an offender for multiple offences must fix an appropriate sentence for each offence and then consider questions of cumulation or concurrence as well as questions of totality;
(b) if, in fixing the appropriate sentence for each offence, proper principle is not applied, orders made for cumulation or concurrence will be made on an imperfect foundation; and
(c) if an appropriate sentence is not fixed for each offence, the failure to do so may give rise to artificial claims of disparity between co‑offenders or otherwise distort general sentencing practices in relation to particular offences.
Ground 1 of the State's appeals: relevant provisions of the Criminal Appeals Act
(a) that was imposed at or after the time when sentence A was imposed; and
Ground 1 of the State's appeals: the unlawful detention offences
It is not easy to make comparisons for the offence of unlawful detention because, like crimes such as manslaughter, it covers a broad spectrum of factual possibilities. Many of these cases are associated with sexual offences. I will not mention cases of that type because I think they raise quite different considerations. In Cook v The Queen [2001] WASCA 16, during the course of an armed robbery the offender detained the sole occupant of the premises and bound her wrists with tape to prevent her escaping while he collected money. A sentence of 2 years (16 months under the present sentencing regime) for the unlawful detention (part of an overall term of 6 years and 5 months) following a guilty plea was left undisturbed. In Iveson v The State of Western Australia [2005] WASCA 25 the offender, in breach of a Violence Restraining Order, went to the residence of a former partner and assaulted her. She tried to escape but the offender stopped her at the front door and closed the door. He then assaulted her again. He was charged with one count of unlawful detention, two of assault occasioning bodily harm and one breach of a restraining order. The sentence imposed for the unlawful detention was 2 years (as part of an aggregate sentence of 4 years and 10 months). The offender's application for leave to appeal against the sentence was rejected [61].
This type of offence is most commonly committed in conjunction with a robbery offence or a sexual assault offence. The cases of Krencej v The Queen [1999] WASCA 20; Cook v The Queen [2001] WASCA 16; Kometer v The State of Western Australia [2005] WASCA 131; Seroka v The State of Western Australia [2006] WASCA 284; (2006) 168 A Crim R 469; Thorn v The State of Western Australia [2008] WASCA 36 and The State of Western Australia v Goodin [2008] WASC 116 reveal sentences (in post‑transitional terms) ranging from 1 year 4 months to 3 years 4 months' imprisonment for deprivation of liberty charges. Two of the cases (Seroka and Cook) reveal sentences imposed after pleas of not guilty and in the other four cases there were pleas of guilty. However, the deprivation of liberty in each case was for one relatively short period of time and in circumstances markedly different from this case. There can be no tariff for this type of offence because the circumstances and length of detention can vary markedly [45].
(a) The offences were premeditated and planned in that Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu went to the massage parlour with a knife, plastic tubing and electricity cables and they used the tubing and the cables to physically restrain S, C and B.
(c) The offences were committed at the victims' place of work.
(d) The offences involved the use of physical force and threats of violence while Mr Hussian was armed with the knife.
(e) The offences involved forcing the victims into a room where they could be guarded by Mr Hussian or Mr Pyu.
(g) When Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu left the parlour, after committing the offences, the victims remained physically restrained.
(h) S suffered bruising and pain on her wrists as a result of the restraints.
(d) the general pattern of sentences for offences of this kind;
(e) the importance of denunciation and general deterrence; and
the sentence was not merely 'lenient' or 'at the lower end of the available range'.
Ground 1 of the State's appeals: the sex offences
(a) the offence of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, contrary to s 326(1) of the Code, is 20 years' imprisonment; and
(b) for the offence of non‑aggravated sexual penetration without consent, contrary to s 325(1) of the Code, is 14 years' imprisonment.
As might have been anticipated, this review of the cases reveals that the circumstances of sexual offending, and of sexual offenders, are almost infinitely variable. That, in turn, means that the sentence imposed in one case can provide only very limited guidance in deciding what sentence should be imposed for a similar offence in another case. However, some conclusions can be drawn, as follows:
(1) An average starting point for a case of penile penetration of the vagina without consent, absent circumstances of aggravation, is in the order of 7 years' imprisonment under the former sentencing regime, or around 4 years and 8 months' imprisonment under the transitional regime. That starting point takes no account of any factors in mitigation.
(2) Because the circumstances of sexual offending and sexual offenders are so variable, nothing will be achieved by specifying a range of sentences customarily imposed. The range of potential aggravating features is so huge that features of that kind can either dramatically increase the sentence imposed (bearing in mind that the maximum sentence for an aggravated offence is 20 years' imprisonment: s 326 of the Criminal Code) or have little or no effect on the sentence imposed. The range of potential mitigating factors is at least equally extensive. They might result in a very large reduction in sentence or little or no reduction.
(3) Nor will anything be achieved by specifying a different starting point for each category of sexual penetration without consent. It should not be assumed that one form of sexual penetration is necessarily more, or less, serious than another. As Wheeler JA pointed out in C v The State of Western Australia [2006] WASCA 261 [35], there is no 'hierarchy of sexual penetration'. For example, although digital penetration will ordinarily be less serious than penile penetration, that is not inevitably so. It might, in particular circumstances, be no less serious or even more serious. The seriousness of every offence of unlawful sexual penetration must be determined by its own individual circumstances: C [35] (Wheeler JA); Cavill [266] - [267] (Miller JA).
That seems to me to be about as much guidance as can be obtained from the cases. I appreciate that it is less than sentencing judges might wish. However, that is a necessary consequence of the court's obligation to tailor each sentence to the individual circumstances of the case, having regard for the maximum penalty provided by the legislature and, to the extent that they can be of assistance, sentences customarily imposed in similar circumstances.
(a) The offences were premeditated and planned. Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu took with them to the massage parlour the knife, the tubing and the cables.
(b) The offences were committed at the victims' place of work.
(c) C and B were highly vulnerable having regard to the nature of their occupation and to Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu having gained entry to the premises by pretending to be customers.
(d) C and B knew that Mr Hussian was armed with a knife. Mr Hussian had the knife when he committed his sex offences. Although Mr Pyu did not have the knife, when Mr Pyu committed his sex offences he knew that Mr Hussian had the knife.
(e) As to the sex offending against C, C was tied up when Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu sexually offended against her.
(f) As to Mr Hussian's sex offences, Mr Hussian offended against C in the presence of S and B, and he offended against B in the presence of S.
(g) Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu subjected C and B to a very frightening and traumatising ordeal. The sexual acts were degrading and humiliating. C and B have suffered significant emotional trauma.
(d) the general pattern of sentences for offences of this kind;
(e) the importance of denunciation and general deterrence; and
the sentence was not merely 'lenient' or 'at the lower end of the available range'.
The residual discretion, the outcome of the appeals and the resentencing of Mr Hussian and Mr Pyu
(a) count 1: 2 years 6 months (reduced from 3 years in the application of the totality principle);
(g) count 10: 2 years (reduced from 2 years 6 months in the application of the totality principle).
(a) count 1: 2 years 6 months (reduced from 3 years in the application of the totality principle);
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] Munda v The State of Western Australia [2013] HCA 38; (2013) 249 CLR 600 [38] - [39] (French CJ, Hayne, Crennan, Kiefel, Gageler & Keane JJ).
[2] The State of Western Australia v Doyle [2017] WASCA 207 [36] (Buss P, Mazza JA & Hall J).
[3] McAlpine v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 195 [54] (Buss P & Mazza JA).
[4] Barbaro v The Queen [2014] HCA 2; (2014) 253 CLR 58 [25] (French CJ, Hayne, Kiefel & Bell JJ).
[5] Pearce v The Queen [1998] HCA 57; (1998) 194 CLR 610 [45] ‑ [48] (McHugh, Hayne & Callinan JJ).
[6] Nguyen v The Queen [2016] HCA 17; (2016) 256 CLR 656 [37] (Bell & Keane JJ).
[7] Mill v The Queen [1988] HCA 70; (1988) 166 CLR 59, 63 (Wilson, Deane, Dawson, Toohey & Gaudron JJ).
[8] Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15; (2004) 78 ALJR 616 [26] (Gummow, Callinan & Heydon JJ).
[9] Henderson v The State of Western Australia [2007] WASCA 198.
[10] The State of Western Australia v TIK [2009] WASCA 122; (2009) 196 A Crim R 361.
[11] The State of Western Australia v Akizuki [2008] WASCA 267; (2008) 192 A Crim R 378 [68] ‑ [69].
[12] The State of Western Australia v Richards [2008] WASCA 134; (2008) 37 WAR 229 [49] (Steytler P; Martin CJ, McLure, Buss & Miller JJA relevantly agreeing).
[13] Ugle v The State of Western Australia [2007] WASCA 199.
[14] Cooper v The State of Western Australia [2009] WASCA 37.
[15] Warburton v The State of Western Australia [2009] WASCA 113; (2009) 196 A Crim R 361.
[16] Royer v The State of Western Australia [2009] WASCA 139; (2009) 197 A Crim R 319.
[17] Williams v The State of Western Australia [2015] WASCA 110.
[18] AMH v The State of Western Australia [2016] WASCA 180.
[19] Atkinson v The State of Western Australia [2017] WASCA 154.
[20] NPA v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 131.
[21] Eravelly v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 139.
[22] The State of Western Australia v TLP [2019] WASCA 66.
[23] KNY v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 89.
[24] Hopper v The Queen [2003] WASCA 153.
[25] Mearns v The State of Western Australia [2009] WASCA 153.
[26] FST v The State of Western Australia [2011] WASCA 220.
[27] Munmurrie v The State of Western Australia [2013] WASCA 167.
[28] The State of Western Australia v Vartolo [2015] WASCA 53.
[29] SJN v The State of Western Australia [2016] WASCA 215.
[30] Singh v The State of Western Australia [2017] WASCA 47.
[31] Costa v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 3.
[32] Kabambi v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 44.
[33] Lakay v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 46.
[34] McNally v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 93.
[35] The State of Western Australia v Jacoby [2020] WASCA 150.
[36] McGarry v The Queen [2001] HCA 62; (2001) 207 CLR 121 [9] (Gleeson CJ, Gaudron, McHugh, Gummow & Hayne JJ).
[37] The State of Western Australia v Cairns [2006] WASCA 178 [42] (McLure JA; Buss JA agreeing).
[38] Sathitpittayayudh v The State of Western Australia [2015] WASCA 152 [28] ‑ [29] (Hall J; McLure P & Mazza JA agreeing).
[39] YDN v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 62 [53] (Mazza, Mitchell & Beech JJA).
[40] Law v The Queen [2019] WASCA 81 [134] (Buss P, Beech & Pritchard JJA).
[41] Roffey v The State of Western Australia [2007] WASCA 246 [26] (McLure JA; Steytler P & Miller JA agreeing).
[42] Giglia v The State of Western Australia [2010] WASCA 9 [40] (Owen JA; McLure P & Pullin JA agreeing).
[43] Gaskell v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 8 [52] ‑ [60] (Buss P), [150] ‑ [151] (Mazza & Beech JJA).
[44] Moore v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 35 [51] (Buss P & Mazza JA).
[45] CMB v Attorney-General (NSW) [2015] HCA 9; (2015) 256 CLR 346 [33] ‑ [34] (French CJ & Gageler J) [66] (Kiefel, Bell & Keane JJ).
[46] Hickling v The State of Western Australia [2016] WASCA 124; (2016) 260 A Crim R 33.
[47] McAllister v The State of Western Australia [2017] WASCA 183.
[48] Brewerton v The State of Western Australia [2017] WASCA 191; (2017) 82 MVR 176.
(2013) 249 CLR 600
(2014) 253 CLR 58
(1998) 194 CLR 610
(2016) 256 CLR 656
(1988) 166 CLR 59
(2004) 78 ALJR 616
(2008) 37 WAR 229
(2001) 207 CLR 121
(2015) 256 CLR 346
(2017) 82 MVR 176