Vance v R
19 December 2003

A Darwin Supreme Court jury found the applicant guilty of (i) having sexual intercourse without consent, (ii) indecent dealing with a child under the age of 16 years, and (iii) administering a stupefying substance with intent to commit a crime. The applicant was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. A non-parole period of seven years and nine months was fixed.

Leave to appeal was granted on the grounds that

1. the sentencing judge erred in categorising the relative seriousness of the counts
2. that the sentence imposed on count 3 was of itself manifestly excessive

The respondent did not oppose the grant of leave.

The appeal had not been listed for hearing as at 30 June 2004.