Court of Appeal sets aside the original six-year sentences imposed by the High Court for six counts of oral rape, determining that the original court erred in principle by underestimating the gravity of the offences and the offender's age at the time of the last offence. The Court of Appeal has increased the sentences to seven years imprisonment on each count, to be served concurrently, recognizing the offender's age during the commission of the crimes and other mitigating factors, but emphasising the seriousness of the offences and the need for a higher headline sentence to reflect this.
Court of Appeal, oral rape, historical sexual offences, sentencing, undue leniency appeal, Criminal Law Rape (Amendment) Act 1990, Sex Offenders Act 2001, victim impact statement, aggravating factors, mitigating factors, headline sentence, post-release supervision, error in principle, rehabilitation, deterrence, retributive justice, minor offender, probation report, Motor Neurone Disease, caregiver in prison.