Dafydd v The Commissioner of Police [2013] QDC 12
DISTRICT COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Dafydd v The Commissioner of Police [2013] QDC 12
PARTIES: LLEWELYN MARC DAFYDD
(appellant)
and
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: 2226/12
DIVISION: Crime
PROCEEDING: Appeal
ORIGINATING
COURT: Magistrates Court of Queensland at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 31 January 2013
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 10 December 2012
JUDGE: R S Jones DCJ
ORDERS: 1. The application to extend time to appeal is
allowed but only to the extent of dealing with
the sentence imposed for the offence of
Firearms to be kept unloaded other than when
being used to shoot;
2. The application to adduce fresh evidence is
allowed;
3. The appeal against sentence imposed in respect
of the firearms to be kept unloaded offence is
allowed;
4. In respect of that offence the sentence imposed
by the Magistrates Court is set aside and in lieu
thereof the sentence be that a conviction be
recorded but the appellant not be further
punished; and
5. Otherwise the application to extent time to
appeal is refused.
CATCHWORDS: APPEAL – s 222 Justices Act 1886 – appeal against sentence
– whether sentences imposed were manifestly excessive –
preliminary issues – appeal lodged out of time – application
to admit fresh evidence
Justices Act 1886 (Qld) ss 222, 223
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Gallagher v The Queen (1986) 160 CLR 392
House v R (1936) 55 CLR 499
R v Tate [1998] QCA 304
Pavlovic v Commissioner of Police [2006] QCA 134
COUNSEL: Ms K McMahon for the appellant
Ms J Ball for the respondent
SOLICITORS: Legal Aid Queensland for the appellant
Director of Public Prosecutions for the respondent
[1] This proceeding is concerned with an appeal pursuant to s 222 of the Justices Act
1886 from a decision of the Magistrates Court at Brisbane on 8 August 2011. For
the reasons set out below, the orders of the court are:
1. The application to extend time to appeal is allowed but only to the extent of
dealing with the sentence imposed for the offence of Firearms to be kept
unloaded other than when being used to shoot;
2. The application to adduce fresh evidence is allowed;
3. The appeal against sentence imposed in respect of the firearms to be kept
unloaded offence is allowed;
4. In respect of that offence the sentence imposed by the Magistrates Court is
set aside and in lieu thereof the sentence be that a conviction be recorded but
the appellant not be further punished; and
5. Otherwise the application to extent time to appeal is refused.
Background
[2] On 8 August 2011, the appellant was convicted on his own plea of guilt on eight
counts of fraud and five weapons offences. In respect of the eight fraud offences he
was sentenced to nine months‟ imprisonment with an immediate parole release date
set for 8 August 2011. In respect of the offence of stealing firearms/ammunition
and firearms to be kept unloaded other than when being used to shoot the appellant
was sentence to two months‟ imprisonment with a parole release date of 8 August
2011. In respect of the offences of unlawful possession of weapons,
possessing/acquiring restricted items and secure storage of weapons, the appellant
was convicted, a conviction was recorded but no further punishment was ordered.
Prior to sentencing the appellant had been remanded in custody for 8 days.
[3] The eight fraud offences were committed between 11 March 2008 and 23 June
2011. Between those dates the appellant attended various offices of the Department
of Transport and Main Roads and applied for driving licences. On each of the
applications, the appellant failed to indicate (by way of a “tick” in a designated box
on the form) that he already held a driver‟s licence and/or held identification in
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another name. Through this process the appellant acquired eight different licences
under six different names.
[4] The various weapons offences were old and were committed some 14 years ago
between 1997 and 1998.
Grounds of appeal
[5] On 4 June 2012, the appellant filed his notice of appeal. The grounds of appeal
were:
“1. My lawyer at my sentence in the Magistrates Court was
Kerry Smith Douglas. She did not give me any advice about
my appeal rights.
2. In February of 2012, I had a discussion with Mick Walsh
who is employed by the Government Vetting Agency. He
advised me that I might be able to appeal my sentence
because the sentence on my criminal history might affect my
ability to obtain work.
3. There was then some delay occasioned by mental health
issues from which I suffer. I suffer from anxiety,
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and
claustrophobia. After my sentence in August of last year, I
had a mental breakdown and was not in the frame of mind
where I was able to investigate or enforce my legal rights.
4. On 5 April 2012, I applied for legal aid for my appeal. It
took Legal Aid some time to gather the material to
investigate my appeal.
5. On 4 June 2012 I had a conference with a Legal Aid lawyer
who assisted me in drafting my notice of appeal and notice
of application for an extension of time.”
[6] Without objection, at the hearing of the appeal the appellant‟s grounds of appeal
were amended to include:
1. that there was an error on the part of the learned Magistrate in
imposing a sentence of two months‟ imprisonment in relation to the
offence of firearms to be kept unloaded other than when being used
to shoot;
2. that there was an error on the part of the learned Magistrate in
making a finding that the appellant‟s possession of the drivers
licences was the beginning of some form of identity fraud; and
3. that in all the circumstances, and in light of the new evidence, the
sentence imposed was manifestly excessive.
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[7] Accompanying the appellant‟s appeal were two applications. First, an application
for leave to proceed with the appeal, the appeal being filed some nine months out of
time. The second application was for the admission of fresh evidence namely a
report prepared by a psychiatrist, Dr. Furst.
[8] It was not contested by the respondent that the court below erred in imposing a two
month term of imprisonment in respect of the firearms to be kept unloaded other
than when used to shoot offence as the maximum penalty for that offence at the
time was a fine.1 The respondent‟s overall position in respect of the appeal was to
the effect that the application for extension of time ought be allowed but only in
respect of the firearm to be kept unloaded offence and the sentence in respect of that
offence be set aside and in lieu thereof a sentence recording a conviction but no
further punishment be imposed and that otherwise the applications ought be refused
and the appeal be dismissed.
The fresh evidence application
[9] The fresh evidence sought to be introduced by the appellant is the psychiatrist‟s
report of Dr. Furst dated 12 September 2012. The appellant contends that the report
should be admitted as it was directly relevant to:
1. the appellant‟s extension of time application;
2. the appellant‟s submission that the finding of fact in relation to the fraud
offences was erroneous; and
3. the appellant‟s submission that the sentence imposed was manifestly
excessive.
[10] As Dr. Furst‟s report addresses matters relevant to the extension of time application
and the appellant‟s state of mind at the time of the commission of the fraud
offences, it is appropriate to deal with the fresh evidence application first.
[11] Section 223 of the Justices Act 1886 provides:
“(1) An appeal under s 222 is by way of rehearing on the
evidence (original evidence) given in the proceeding before
the justices.
(2) However, the District Court may give leave to adduce
fresh, additional or substituted evidence (new evidence)
if the court is satisfied there are special grounds for
giving leave.
(3) If the court gives leave under subsection (2), the appeal is -
(a) by way of rehearing on the original evidence; and
(b) on the new evidence adduced.”
1 Section 59(1) Weapons Regulation 1996 and s 5(1)(b) Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.
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(emphasis added)
[12] In Pavlovic v Commissioner of Police2, the Court of Appeal was concerned with an
appeal pursuant to s 222 of the Justices Act and with an application to adduce fresh
evidence pursuant to s 223 of that Act. Citing with approval the decision of Gibbs
CJ in Gallagher v The Queen3 the Court of Appeal relevantly said4:
“In explaining why leave should not be granted, the learned District
Court Judge cited the „three main considerations‟ described by
Gibbs CJ in Gallagher v The Queen as being relevant to a
determination of „whether a miscarriage of justice has occurred
because evidence now available was not led at the trial‟. It is clear
that the reference in s 223(2) of the Justices Act to „special grounds‟
indicates that there must be a good reason identified to justify a
departure from the application of the rule in s 223(1) that an appeal
under s 222 of the Justices Act is „by way of rehearing on the
evidence given in the proceedings before the justices‟. While
Gallagher did not involve a consideration of s 223 of the Justices
Act, it is nonetheless a useful guide for the purposes of identifying
the kind of „special grounds‟ which might be said to justify a grant of
leave under s 223(2).
The first consideration described by Gibbs CJ is whether „the
evidence relied on could with reasonable diligence have been
produced by the accused at the trial‟. This consideration reflects the
primary importance of the trial in the administration of justice. A
trial cannot be regarded as a dress rehearsal or as the first step in a
process which inevitably leads to an appeal and a possible retrial.
…
The first consideration identified by Gibbs CJ falls against the
applicant, but this consideration is not „a universal and inflexible
requirement: the strength of the fresh evidence may in some cases be
such as to justify interference with the verdict, even though that
evidence might have been discovered before the trial.‟ It is therefore
necessary to address the second and third of the Gallagher
considerations.
The second consideration identified in Gallagher is whether „the
evidence is apparently credible (or at least capable of belief)‟.
…
The third consideration identified by Gibbs CJ in Gallagher was
whether the evidence, if believed, „might reasonably have lead‟ a
tribunal of fact „to return a different verdict.‟
2 [2006] QCA 134.
3 (1986) 160 CLR 392.
4 At paras [30] to [42].
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…” (footnotes deleted)
[13] It is not in dispute that Dr. Furst‟s report is apparently credible.
[14] Turning then to the remaining two elements of the test identified in Gallagher, as
the Court of Appeal observed in Pavlovic the first limb embodies the vitally
important concept that a trial cannot be regarded as a dress rehearsal or as a first
step in a process.
[15] In this appeal, there is a level of uncertainty as to the reasons why the appellant‟s
mental health was not addressed in any material way by the court below. In his
affidavit sworn 8 August 2012, the appellant relevantly deposed:
“a. I had changed my name legally when I lived in Britain on
several occasions. Upon return to Queensland each time
starting back in 1997, BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages)
Queensland and Qld Transport would not accept my UK
deed polls after I had shown them.
b. I would change my name as a reaction to stress in my life
when I would feel unable to cope.
c. Each time I‟d change my name I felt it relieved some of my
anxiety.
d. I previously testified against Max Sica in a matter and was
concerned that he would pursue me. I would change my
name because it relieved my anxiety about him coming after
me.
e. When I moved to Queensland, Queensland Transport
refused to accept my name changes I had made legally in
Britain. I had tried to explain my situation to Queensland
Transport on many occasions but was refused assistance in
putting my record straight.
f. Because of that, I obtained the licences in all the different
names fraudulently. The licences were mine only and I only
renewed licences and accreditations out of sheer desperation
and frustration. And so I could work.
g. I did not however have the licences as a part of any intention
to commit identity fraud on other people.
h. I have been previously told by a psychologist Peter Esser
that my name changes are part of a dissociative fugue state.”
[16] In paragraphs 12 and 13 of his affidavit sworn 8 August 2011 the appellant deposed:
“I advised my lawyer Kerry Smith Douglas of the reasons for my
offending listed at paragraph 11 above before she did my sentence in
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the Magistrates Court but she did not explain them properly to the
Magistrate.
I am aware there is a portion of the transcript of the Magistrates
Court proceedings missing. I do/do not recall what was said in that
part of the proceedings.”
[17] The transcript revealed that the submissions made on sentencing on both sides were
very brief. Unfortunately, a portion of the sentencing transcript was not recorded
and transcribed for reasons unknown. It is difficult therefore to say by reference to
the material whether the appellant‟s legal adviser was reasonably appraised of the
appellant‟s mental health. Reference is made to his physical health and to the fact
that the appellant suffered from claustrophobia in Ms. Douglas‟ sentencing
submissions.5 However, the submissions appear to go no further than that. The
possibility exists that further submissions about the appellant‟s mental health were
made by Ms. Douglas and were not recorded, but that seems unlikely in
circumstances where no reference was made to it in the learned Magistrate‟s
sentencing remarks. The absence of such an important matter in the sentencing
remarks tends to bear out the appellant‟s sworn evidence that he explained the
circumstances and his reasons for the commissioning of the fraud offences to
Ms. Douglas but she failed to properly address them in submissions before the
court.
[18] On balance, I am satisfied that had submissions been made about the appellant‟s
mental health and its connection with the commissioning of the offences, it would
have been expressly addressed by the learned Magistrate in her Honour‟s sentencing
remarks.
[19] According to Ms. McMahon, counsel for the appellant, the failure to put these
matters before the court was a consequence of the incompetency of the appellant‟s
legal representation at the time and, the appellant should not have to suffer because
of that incompetence. The material before me, limited as it is, tends to support that
submission.
[20] On balance, I have reached the following conclusions in respect of this matter: first,
the appellant‟s legal representative in the court below was made aware of the
appellant‟s state of mental health and its connection with the offending: second, she
failed to put those matters before the court: third, being made aware of the
appellant‟s mental health the appellant‟s legal representative ought to have sought
an adjournment to have the appellant assessed and have a report prepared for the
court.
[21] To put it another way, the fresh evidence sought now to be produced could have,
with reasonable diligence, been produced in the court below. It was not produced,
but that was not the fault of the appellant but of his legal representative and he
should not be prejudiced by that failure.
5 Sentencing submissions transcript T1-2 L30-48.
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[22] The next issue that needs to be considered is whether the report might reasonably
have led to a different result. It is well recognised that in appeals against sentence
the appellate court ought not simply substitute its own views for that of the court
below. In House v R6 Dixon, Evatt and McTiernan JJ relevantly said:
“It must appear that some error has been made in exercising the
discretion. If the Judge acts upon a wrong principle, if he allows
extraneous or irrelevant matters to guide or affect him, if he mistakes
the facts, or he does not take into account some material
consideration, then his determination should be reviewed and the
appellate court may exercise its own discretion in substitution for his
if it has the materials for doing so.”
[23] That the appellant is mentally disturbed to a material extent is beyond doubt. Under
the heading “Prognosis” Dr. Furst states:
“Mr. Dafydd has evidence of a major mental illness in the form of
probably schizophrenia and is likely to continue to experience
psychotic symptoms of a residual type, as is typical of this type of
mental illness. He may also have symptoms of PTSD or
disassociation. His adjustment to life in the community will require
assertive treatment and monitoring as outlined above. He would
benefit from longer term case management.”
[24] It is also reported that the appellant had a history of chronic paranoid and
persecutory thoughts and suffered panic attacks and claustrophobia. His
claustrophobia is to the extent that the he is only capable of living in enclosed
accommodation for relatively short periods of time and otherwise camps out at
various locations.
[25] The learned Magistrate clearly took a dim view of the appellant‟s conduct in respect
of the fraud charges. Her Honour said:
“What you did was seriously wrong. Getting a licence in a false
name has far-reaching implications for the whole of our community
and over a short space of time you got eight different names.
That clearly shows the formulation of the basis for you to commit a
lot of identity fraud by having those licences in your name at the
same time and in quick succession going from different licensing
authorities, different officers gathering that material.
That has a high level of criminality that the court has to reflect and I
need also to bear in mind that the pistol charges are quite old, they
are now 14 years old.”
[26] There was no evidence to “clearly show” that the licences were obtained for the
purposes of committing “a lot of identity fraud”. However, that would be, in usual
circumstances, not an unreasonable inference to draw. In this context though Dr.
Furst was specifically asked to comment on “the extent to which any dissociative
6 (1936) 55 CLR 499 at 505.
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fugue from which Mr Dafydd suffers may be an explanation for the fraud offences
that are the subject of the appeal …”. In answering this question the doctor
dismissed the possibility of the offending being committed whilst the appellant was
suffering a dissociative fugue; however, observed that his underlying schizophrenic
illness might have been a causal factor in his offending. At page 7 of his report the
doctor stated:
“Mr. Dafydd may have experienced episodes of disassociation;
however, he still has an intact memory for his actions and they were
purposeful (apparently in order to work as a driving instructor in
Queensland), which would make this less likely as an explanation for
the fraud offences in question.
Given his apparent history of psychotic illness, especially chronic
paranoid and persecutory thoughts, it is more likely than not that his
paranoid thinking as part of an underlying schizophrenic illness was
a causal factor in his offending behaviour. He related a history of
fleeing from perceived threats over many years, changed his name in
the UK and Australia, and may well have obtained drivers licences to
“match” his assumed identities in overseas jurisdictions.
The possibility of malingering remains, in that he may have obtained
the licences in question in a deliberate manner with fraudulent
intention and is claiming „disassociation‟. This will be a matter for
the trier of fact to determine on the available evidence.
It is noteworthy that individuals with serious mental illness such as
schizophrenia typically have difficulties in planning and organising
themselves often due to impaired judgment on the cognitive
problems encountered in schizophrenia. His poor judgment as a
consequence of schizophrenia may well be a further explanation for
the offending behaviour before the court.”
[27] The central question is whether the court below, had it been in possession of
Dr. Furst‟s report, ought to have imposed a more lenient sentence. Dr. Furst‟s
report is relevant to this issue in two respects. First, as providing possible
explanations for the commissioning of the offences and second, it is well recognised
that persons suffering from a serious psychiatric illness are not an appropriate
vehicle for sentences designed to send a message of personal and/or general
deterrence.7
[28] It seems tolerably clear to me that the appellant‟s mental health was a material
contributory factor in his offending in respect of the eight fraud charges. However,
it would also appear that notwithstanding the fact that these offences were
committed whilst he was in a dysfunctional mental state they were not committed
for the sole purpose of avoiding his persecutors whether real or imagined. There
was also an underlying intention to commit the frauds for reward, namely gaining
employment under a false name or names. Dr. Furst apparently expressly asked the
7 R v Tsiaras [1996] 1 VR 398 and R v Goodger [2009] QCA 377.
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appellant why he committed these offences and was given the following answer8:
“I only did it to work. There were bureaucratic barriers. Driving was my work.”
This explanation is consistent with the appellant‟s sworn evidence where, in his
affidavit he stated that he obtained the licences for various reasons including that
“so I could work”9.
[29] However, notwithstanding there being an element of intentional and deliberate
dishonesty underlying the appellant‟s offending, it seems almost inevitable, with
respect, that had the learned Magistrate had the report of Dr. Furst available upon
sentence her Honour would have imposed a lesser sentence. The reasons for doing
so are concisely stated in R v Tsiaras10 where it was said by the Victorian Court of
Appeal:
“First, [the evidence of mental health] may reduce the moral
culpability of the offence, as distinct from the prisoner‟s legal
responsibility. Where that is so, it affects the punishment that is just
in all the circumstances and denunciation of the type of conduct in
which the offender engaged is less likely to be a relevant sentencing
objective. Second, the prisoner‟s illness may have a bearing on the
kind of sentence that is imposed and the conditions in which it
should be served. Third, a prisoner suffering from serious
psychiatric illness is not an appropriate vehicle for general
deterrence, whether or not the illness played a part in the commission
of the offence. The illness may have supervened since that time.
Fourth, specific deterrence may be more difficult to achieve and is
often not worth pursuing as such. Finally, psychiatric illness may
mean that a given sentence will weigh more heavily on the prisoner
than it would on a person in normal health.”
[30] On behalf of the appellant it was submitted that, having regard to his mental health,
that he had served eight days in remand and that the nine months on parole had
already been served without incident, the sentences imposed below ought be set
aside and in lieu thereof a small fine or bond be imposed. It was also submitted that
no convictions be recorded. In this context it is also significant that the appellant
pleaded guilty to all the offences and had only a minor and largely irrelevant
criminal history.
[31] Having regard to the seriousness of the fraud offences and the mixed underlying
motives for those offences, I do not consider that a small fine or bond is appropriate.
As to the recording of a conviction, s 12(2) of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992
provides:
“In considering whether or not to record a conviction, a court must
have regard to all circumstances of the case including –
1. the nature of the offence; and
2. the offender‟s character and age; and
8 At p 5 of his report.
9 At para 11(f) of appellant‟s affidavit. See also attachment to appellant‟s affidavit dated August
2012.
10 [1996] 1 VR 398 at 400: cited with approval in R v Goodger [2009] QCA 377 at para 18.
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3. the impact that recording a conviction will have on the offender‟s –
(i) economic or social wellbeing; or
(ii) chances of finding employment.”
[32] According to Ms. McMahon, the recording of a conviction would be yet a further
impediment to the appellant gaining meaningful employment.
[33] The appellant is now a 50 year old male who, largely because of his claustrophobia,
leads an itinerant lifestyle and is currently in receipt of a disability support pension.
He also suffers from a disc protrusion, no feeling in his left hand and migraines.11
These factors together with his overall mental health lead me to conclude that there
is no reasonable basis for believing that the appellant was a likely prospect for any
meaningful employment.
[34] Balancing the seriousness of the fraud offenses with the evidence of Dr. Faust, I
consider that concurrent sentences of four to six months either wholly suspended or
with an immediate parole release date would have been within an appropriate
range12. However, for the reasons set out below it is not necessary to express a final
opinion about sentence.
[35] At the time of the hearing of this appeal, the appellant had already served eight days
in custody and had completed the nine month parole period without incident.
During the course of submissions, I asked Ms. McMahon whether the appeal was
“somewhat academic”. Ms. McMahon responded by submitting:
“Yes, the appellant pursues it because he would like to correct his
criminal history for the purposes of obtaining employment and that,
in my submission, is a legitimate reason to pursue the appeal.”
[36] In this context, in paragraph 8 of his affidavit the appellant deposed:
“Even though I‟ve finished my sentence I still wish to appeal
because my criminal history is preventing me from obtaining
employment with the army or any employment, due to my spinal
condition I am unable to do anything other than manage (or)
instruct.”
[37] In my opinion, the appeal is without any substantive merit or purpose. The
sentences imposed below have already been served in full and the appeal would fail
to achieve the substantive relief sought namely that no conviction be recorded in
respect of all offences.
11 Dr. Furst‟s report at p 5.
12 In expressing this opinion, I would observe that on the material before the court below the sentences
imposed were not excessive and, but for Dr Furst‟s report, would not have been interfered with.
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Explanation for delay in filing notice of appeal
[38] In R v Tait13 the court identified three matters that would typically steer the court‟s
determination of an application to appeal out of time:
1. the reason for and length of the delay;
2. whether it is in the interests of justice to grant the extension, which
may involve some assessment of whether the appeal is a viable one;
3. prejudice to the respondent, which in criminal appeals is not often a
live issue.
[39] Prejudice to the respondent was not an issue in this appeal.
[40] The delay in filing the notice of appeal was a lengthy one. According to the
appellant it was attributable to:
(i) An absence of legal advice from the appellant‟s original lawyer.
(ii) The appellant‟s mental state.
(iii) Approximately two months of the delay is attributable to Legal Aid
gathering information so as to assist with drafting Mr Dafydd‟s
appeal.
[41] As to the first of those matters it does not provide a reasonable explanation for such
delay. That the appellant‟s original legal representative did not advise the appellant
of his rights of appeal may explain some delay, but nothing of the type involved
here. Also, the appellant‟s own conduct at the conclusion of the learned
Magistrate‟s sentencing remarks may have led his lawyer to consider that he was in
no way dissatisfied with the sentences imposed. At the conclusion of her Honour‟s
sentencing remarks the appellant said, “thank you for giving me a chance your
Honour”.
[42] As to the second matter raised, Dr. Furst was specifically asked:
“The extent to which any of his mental conditions may have
impacted on his ability to file his appeal within time …”.
At p 8 of his report Dr. Furst stated:
“Mr. Dafydd presented as a highly anxious individual who is
depressed and paranoid. He has not been functioning well, is
somewhat disorganised and is currently homeless. His paranoia
makes him fearful of returning to Queensland. In my opinion, his
schizophrenia may well have impaired his capacity to lodge his
appeal in a timely manner.” (emphasis added)
[43] The appellant deposed to the facts that after the imposition of the sentences on 8
August 2011, he suffered a “mental breakdown” through to about February 2012
and thereafter suffered “some delay” in prosecuting his appeal because of his
“mental health” issues. While there is no direct independent evidence to support the
appellant‟s assertion that he had some form of “mental breakdown”, from mid-2011
13 [1998] QCA 304.
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to December 2011, he was diagnosed with a form of dissociative fugue evidenced
by him having a tendency to “run away and escape from situations when stressed”.
And, from December 2011 to March 2012, the appellant was diagnosed with
“chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, paranoid personality, possible delusional
disorder and a history of dissociative disorder, particularly a dissociative fugue
state”14.
[44] On balance, but with some reservations, I consider that the evidence concerning the
appellant‟s mental health provided an acceptable explanation for the delay in the
prosecution of this appeal.
[45] Turning then to the final matter to be addressed, for the reasons already given the
appeal was not a viable one and no interests of justice would be served by allowing
the appeal to proceed.
[46] The application for leave to appeal out of time should be refused and that should
therefore be the end of the matter. However, it was conceded by the respondent that
the sentence imposed in respect of the firearms to be kept unloaded offence was not
open to the court below, not as a consequence of a failure to exercise a discretion in
a judicial manner, but as a matter of substantive law.15
[47] Notwithstanding my substantive conclusions concerning the application to appeal
out of time and the overall merits of the appeal, I consider it appropriate to rectify
that particular matter.
[48] Accordingly, the orders of the court are:
1. The application to extend time to appeal is allowed but only to the extent of
dealing with the sentence imposed for the offence of Firearms to be kept
unloaded;
2. The application to adduce fresh evidence is allowed;
3. The appeal against sentence imposed in respect of the firearms to be kept
unloaded offence is allowed;
4. In respect of that offence the sentence imposed by the Magistrates Court is
set aside and in lieu thereof the sentence be that a conviction be recorded but
the appellant not be further punished; and
5. Otherwise the application to extent time to appeal is refused.
14 Dr. Furst‟s report at p 4.
15 Refer to para [9] above.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QDC/2013/012