This table is intended to be used as a guide only. Individual cases should be read if they are to be relied upon.
Standard non-parole period (offences on or after 1.2.2003) Where the victim was a police officer, emergency services worker, correctional officer, judicial officer, health worker, teacher, community worker, or other public official, exercising public or community functions and the offence arose because of the victim’s occupation or voluntary work
25 years
Where the victim was a child under 18 years of age
25 years
Other cases
20 years
NAME
DATE REF
PLEA
SENTENCE
APPEAL
SUMMARY OF RECORD
HOW KILLED
INVOLVEMENT & SUMMARY
GILL
(18)
NSWSC
Mathews J
9.2.1993
VG
MT 10y 6m
AT 6y 6m
very minor
assaulted
reckless indifference
Affected by liquor. Assaulted girlfriend then kicked 27m old stepson, picked him up by ankles and threw to ground.
JOHNSON
(21)
NSWSC
James J
15.8.1994
PG
MT 8y
AT 5y
lengthy juvenile
assaulted
Killed 2y child of de facto. Extensive injuries. Remorse.
ASHFIELD
(25)
(female)
HUGHES
(20)
NSWSC
16.12.1994
B-Parker J
NSW CCA
27.2.1998
NSWSC
16.12.1994
B-Parker J.
PG
PG
MT 16y
AT 5y
MT 16y
AT 5y
AA
MT 14y
AT 5y
assaulted
intent GBH
Assault on 6y old son, death from head injuries. Extensive bruises to head & body. Head forced into wall, phone book on head & hit with hammer. Initially blamed gang then tried to shift major blame to other offender. Claimed V interfered with younger sister
GORMAN
NSWSC
B-Parker J
25.8.1995
NSW CCA
15.5.1997
VG
MT 13y
AT 4y
Conviction AD
Assault and alcohol and drug related offences
burnt from hot water
intent GBH
Deliberately placed de facto’s 18m old baby in hot water.
VELEVSKI
(29)
NSWSC
Dunford J
26.9.1997
NSW CCA [96]
10.5.1999
HCA [4]
14.2.2002
VG
4 x Murder
MT 19y
AT 6y
Conviction AD
nil relevant
cut throat
intent to kill
Cut throat of wife, 6y daughter and 3m twins - left them in bedroom - deliberate killings involving considerable degree of planning.
PARK
(30)
NSWSC
Sperling J
3.8.2000
NSW CCA [203]
23.7.2003
NSW CCA [142]
10.12.2003
VG
3 x Murder
26y
NPP 19y 6m
Conviction AD
Crown AD
suffocation
intent kill
Suffocated wife and two infant children and dumped bodies in bushland. Highly charged emotional state at time of killing.
Some remorse; admissions shortened trial; protective custody
CIKOS
NSWSC
Dunford J [35]
9.2.2001
PG
3 x Murder
21y
NPP 15y 6m
nil
suffocation and assault
intent to kill
Killed de facto and sons aged 4 years and 18 months old. Passive man who endured months of aggression and abuse at hands of dominant de facto wife. Reacted to de facto’s ultimatum that he kill de facto’s friend by certain date.
Genuine remorse - 10-15% discount for guilty plea - strict protection
CHEATHAM
NSWSC [580]
Grove J
6.7.2001
NSW CCA [360]
29.8.2002
VG
2 x Murder
1 x Wound w/i to murder
24y
NPP 16y
AA
22y
NPP 14y
stabbed
Stabbed wife and three year old daughter to death and attempted to stab baby to death - believed he was suffering from AIDS and had infected family.
Protective custody because worked in juvenile justice system. – Retrial after successful conviction appeal.
MERRITT
(30)
NSWSC [1159]
Greg James J
4.12.2002
NSW CCA [19]
3.3.2004
PG
3 x Murder
Life
AA
34y
NPP 27y
minor
suffocation
intent to kill
Father killed his 3 children aged 11w, 11m and 6y on custody visit - No explanation for killing - Incomprehensible action - no evidence of mental disorder
Insufficient weight given to A’s depressive state – Sentence patterns show life not imposed in cases of parents murdering children.
FOLBIGG
(36)
NSWSC [895]
Barr J
24.10.2003
VG
Manslaughter
Intentionally inflict GBH
3 x Murder
Total
40y
NPP 30y
Nil
Suffocation
Intent to kill
Mother killed four babies over ten years – Suffocated each child in spontaneous burst of anger – Earlier attack on second child caused blindness
Seriously psychologically damages by early neglect and physical and sexual abuse – Protective custody
FRASER
(36)
NSWSC [53]
Howie J
13.2.2004
VG
3 x Murder
32y
NPP 27y
Nil
Drowning
Drugged daughter and 2 sons with sleeping tablets then drowned them in bath – Daughter violently struggled – Revenge against estranged wife – Genuine attempt at suicide – Premeditated and planned offences
Severely mentally disturbed at time – History of mental illness – Protective custody
JALATY
(30-31)
NSWSC [675]
Grove J
30.6.2006
VG
Murder
Mal Admin noxious thing
Murder:
20y
NPP 15y
Mal Admin:
FT 5y
(concur)
Not relevant
Ingestion of methadone
Recklessness
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Female dosed 3y daughter with methadone causing cardiac respiratory arrest – 3 months later dosed daughter again causing death – attempting to control behaviour and keep child asleep during liaison with male friend
Difficult life with rape, forced marriages and serious back injuries from car accident – acute loneliness – drug addiction from back injuries – protective custody – chronic back pain
F.A.P
(24)
NSWSC [905]
Howie J
17.8.2007
PG
19y 6m
NPP 14y 6m
Record
Assault
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Caused fatal head injury to 15m son – admitted abusing son physically over week preceding death – frustrated by victim’s crying and behaviour – unplanned offence – slightly below mid-range of seriousness
Aboriginal with deprived and troubled upbringing – immature and low intellectual ability
DN
(24)
NSWSC [1252]
Hidden J
9.11.2007
PG
Murder
Att murder
Murder:
20y
NPP 15y
Total
25y
NPP 20y
Nil
Stabbing
Stabbing
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Stabbed partner in face – fatally stabbed 11y step son – no explanation for uncharacteristic attack or violent rage – suffering at time from intoxication, cannabis withdrawal and depression – offences above mid- range
Aboriginal with no history for violence – deep remorse
RHB
(25 at 1st offence
37 at 2nd offence
41 at sentence)
NSWSC [1466]
Hall J
17.12.2007
VG
Mansl
Murder
Murder
30y
NPP 20y
Total:
34y 6m
NPP 24y 6m
Minor – no violence
Assault
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Killed 14m step son – traumatic injuries to head – circumstances of killing unclear – 12y later killed 2y son of sister in law – traumatic head injury – circumstances unclear – both children in care of offender – unlawful and dangerous act manslaughter
PJS
(33)
NSWSC [153]
Mathews AJ
13.3.2009
VG
26y
NPP 20y
Lengthy record – breached bonds
Assault
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Severe assault of 3y step daughter left at home with offender and 9y sister when mother went to refuge – assaulted all over head and body – intoxicated – no recollection – position of trust – above mid-range
Violent childhood – protective custody – violent relationship with wife
WALSH
(69)
NSWSC [764]
McCallum J
7.8.2009
PG
3 x Murder
Att murder
2 x Murder
Life Att Murder
16y
NPP 12y Murder
20y
NPP 15y
Nil
Assault, stabbing and drowning
Intent to kill
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Grandfather hit wife with hammer and stabbed her to death – drowned 5y granddaughter in bath – assaulted 7y grandson with hammer then drowned in bath – bodies placed in bed – killed dog – children in care of grandparents while mother at work – lied to school about children being ill – assaulted daughter with axe when she returned to house – brain and skull injuries – planning and premeditation – no explanation for killings – murder of children worst case – murder of wife mid-range – assault on daughter well above mid range
No mental illness
MEHTA
(42)
NSWSC [814]
Grove J
14.8.2009
PG
2 x Murder
Murder of wife
30y
Murder of Stepdaughter
Life
Assault on first wife – strangling and threat to kill
Strangulation
Intent to kill
Offence committed after 1.2.2003
Strangled wife during argument – verbal threats and physical assaults made previously – killing observed by 9y stepdaughter - killed step daughter to prevent her reporting killing to police – method of killing unclear – threw bodies over cliff in Blue Mountains – discovered by bushwalkers 4 weeks later – lied to police – had son assist in deception - killed wife for financial reasons
No evidence of remorse or rehabilitation