{"id": "021", "offence": "Armed robbery", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "1999 / 1999", "story": ["Both cases concern armed robbery in New South Wales. Both accused were 18, and both pleaded guilty.", "He, Hoai Vinh Tran, with two accomplices robbed a video store in Greenfield Park. He produced an imitation pistol, pointed it at the shop assistant and demanded that the till be opened; $660 was taken. He was first given a non-custodial sentence, but the Crown appealed it as manifestly inadequate. The appeal was allowed: a non-parole period of 24 months and an additional term of 18 months, 42 months in total (paras. 2, 4, 5, 32).", "She, Danielle Colgan, with accomplices committed an armed robbery at a Mobil service station in Berowra, using a stolen car. She carried a long knife. She also took part in an attempted armed robbery in company at a service station in Lisarow. For the robbery she was sentenced to 2 years with a non-parole period of 1 year, and for the attempt to 1 year concurrent. Her appeal against sentence was dismissed (paras. 3, 4, 6, 14).", "The court noted her tragic background and her genuine, partly successful attempts at rehabilitation. At the same time it said the offences were serious (para. 9)."], "male": {"case": "REGINA v TRAN", "citation": "REGINA v TRAN [1999] NSWCCA 109", "court": "New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal", "date": "1999-05-12", "charge": "Armed robbery (s97(1) Crimes Act 1900)", "outcome": "Crown appeal allowed, resentenced", "sentence": "Non-parole period of 24 months and additional term of 18 months, 42 months in total", "facts": "Robbed a video store with two accomplices, pointed an imitation pistol at the shop assistant and demanded the till be opened; $660 taken. The robbery was planned in advance to get money for heroin. He was 18, with prior convictions for possessing a shortened firearm and a prohibited weapon. He pleaded guilty (paras. 2, 4, 5, 13, 24, 32).", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549f9f1a3004262463b28590"}, "female": {"case": "Regina v Colgan", "citation": "Regina v Colgan [1999] NSWCCA 292", "court": "New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal", "date": "1999-09-15", "charge": "Armed robbery and attempted armed robbery in company", "outcome": "Leave to appeal granted, appeal dismissed", "sentence": "2 years for armed robbery with a non-parole period of 1 year; 1 year concurrent for the attempt", "facts": "With accomplices robbed a Mobil service station in Berowra in a stolen car, armed with a long knife. Took part in an attempted armed robbery in company at a service station in Lisarow. She was 18, having earlier given her age as 15. She pleaded guilty (paras. 3, 4, 6, 14).", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549f9d943004262463b217bc"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Hoai Vinh TRAN", "quote": "REGINA v Hoai Vinh TRAN", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Armed robbery", "quote": "The respondent pleaded guilty on 28 April 1998 to one count of armed robbery (s97(1) Crimes Act 1900).", "para": "2"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "s97(1) Crimes Act 1900 (armed robbery); also taken into account on Form 1: s25(1) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 and s527C Crimes Act 1900", "quote": "one count of armed robbery (s97(1) Crimes Act 1900)", "para": "2"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "The respondent pleaded guilty on 28 April 1998 to one count of armed robbery", "para": "2"}, "sentence": {"value": "Appeal allowed; sentence substituted with a minimum term of penal servitude for 24 months and an additional term of 18 months, commencing from date of judgment", "quote": "one involving a minimum term of penal servitude for twenty-four months and an additional term of eighteen months", "para": "32"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "42", "quote": "one involving a minimum term of penal servitude for twenty-four months and an additional term of eighteen months", "para": "32"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Crown appealed the non-custodial sentence and contended it was manifestly lenient", "quote": "From that sentence the Crown has appealed under s5D Criminal Appeal Act 1912.", "para": "3"}, "victim": {"value": "Video shop attendant", "quote": "who was threatened by a weapon which he was entitled to assume was a real pistol", "para": "13"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Prior convictions for possession of a shortened firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of drugs; was on probation and a recognisance when the offence occurred; later further convictions", "quote": "He had prior convictions for the possession of a shortened firearm and for possession of a prohibited weapon", "para": "5"}, "offender_age": {"value": "18", "quote": "The respondent was aged eighteen years at the time of the offence.", "para": "5"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Armed robbery of a video shop in Greenfield Park with two co-offenders; replica handgun used; $660 taken from the till plus $150 and a visa card; robbery planned to obtain money for heroin", "quote": "The respondent produced a replica hand gun, pointed it at the attendant, and demanded that he open the till, from which $660 was removed.", "para": "4"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Offence was pre-planned, offenders wore balaclavas, offence was particularly serious, and offender was on probation and a recognisance at the time; breach of rehabilitation opportunity", "quote": "the offence was pre-planned, balaclavas were worn by the offenders, and the respondent was on probation, and on a recognisance, at the time.", "para": "13"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Youth (age eighteen), desire and steps to rehabilitate from drug addiction, offer of assistance against co-offenders, guilty plea, and compensation/restitution paid to the victim", "quote": "Three matters were, however, identified as constituting exceptional circumstances - the age of the respondent, his desire to rehabilitate himself", "para": "8"}, "appeal_result": {"value": "Appeal allowed; respondent resentenced to the substituted sentence", "quote": "the appeal should be allowed and the respondent resentenced", "para": "24"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Danielle Colgan", "quote": "This is an application by Danielle Colgan for leave to appeal against sentences imposed upon her", "para": "2"}, "offence": {"value": "Armed robbery and attempted armed robbery in company", "quote": "The applicant had pleaded guilty in the District Court to two charges, one of armed robbery and the other of attempted armed robbery in company.", "para": "3"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "The applicant had pleaded guilty in the District Court to two charges", "para": "3"}, "sentence": {"value": "Penal servitude for two years on the armed robbery count, with a minimum term of one year (additional term of one year); concurrent fixed term of one year penal servitude on the attempted armed robbery in company count", "quote": "The learned sentencing Judge imposed upon the armed robbery count a sentence of penal servitude for two years, with a minimum term of one year", "para": "4"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "24", "quote": "The learned sentencing Judge imposed upon the armed robbery count a sentence of penal servitude for two years, with a minimum term of one year", "para": "4"}, "victim": {"value": "Service station attendant", "quote": "This person also yelled at the attendant to open the door.", "para": "6"}, "offender_age": {"value": "18 (at time of offence per police facts; she had given a false age of 15)", "quote": "that she was in fact eighteen years of age and not fifteen as previously stated.", "para": "6"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender, with co-offenders, committed armed robbery at a Mobil service station in Berowra using a stolen car, armed with a long bladed knife; also involved in an attempted armed robbery in company at Road Pantry service station, Lisarow", "quote": "at the time she was armed with a long bladed knife", "para": "6"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Grave objective gravity of offences, which carry a maximum of 20 years penal servitude; armed robbery treated as serious requiring custody absent exceptional circumstances", "quote": "it needs to be said with emphasis, that they were grave offences", "para": "9"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Tragic background, genuine and partly successful rehabilitation attempts, strong subjective case, and sympathetic consideration", "quote": "Her background has been a tragic one.", "para": "9"}, "appeal_result": {"value": "Leave to appeal granted; appeal dismissed", "quote": "I would grant leave to appeal and dismiss the appeal.", "para": "14"}}}}
{"id": "020", "offence": "Manslaughter of a close relative on the ground of substantial impairment, New South Wales", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "2010 / 2010", "story": ["Both cases were heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Both were convicted of the manslaughter of a family member: murder was reduced on the ground of substantial impairment by abnormality of mind (section 23A of the Crimes Act).", "He is Stephen Anthony Cavanagh, 53. After a tense argument with his mother over the house he strangled her with an electrical extension cord and then buried the body in the mountains. The court called the attack and the manner of killing brutal. Sentence: 9 years, with a non-parole period of 5 years.", "She is Kathleen Worrall, 20. She armed herself with knives, twice approached her sister intending to stab her, then seized her 18-year-old sister by the neck and stabbed her several times in the neck and back. The sister died. Sentence: 6 years, with a non-parole period of 4 years and 3 months.", "The court mentioned sex only in passing. In his case — a 2003 report about a \"stereotypically male view of the world\", with no weight in sentencing stated. In hers — the medical history records female sex and chromosomal female sex. The Crown did not oppose a 25% discount for the guilty plea."], "male": {"case": "R v Stephen Anthony CAVANAGH", "citation": "R v Stephen Anthony CAVANAGH [2010] NSWSC 670", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2010-06-25", "charge": "Murder; pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mother (substantial impairment and/or provocation)", "outcome": "Convicted of manslaughter", "sentence": "9 years (non-parole period 5 years, balance of term 4 years)", "facts": "Stephen Cavanagh, 53, killed his mother Estelle Cavanagh: after an argument he strangled her with an electrical cord, wrapped the body in a tarpaulin and buried it in the mountains. One prior conviction (mid-range drink driving); the court treated him as a first offender. Mitigating: severe depression, remorse, good character, 25% discount for the guilty plea. (paras. 1, 2, 16, 23, 24, 28, 39)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/54a008bd3004262463ca35df"}, "female": {"case": "R v Worrall", "citation": "R v Worrall [2010] NSWSC 593", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2010-06-04", "charge": "Murder of her sister; pleaded guilty to manslaughter", "outcome": "Convicted of manslaughter (responsibility reduced by substantial impairment)", "sentence": "6 years (non-parole period 4 years and 3 months, balance of term 1 year and 9 months)", "facts": "Kathleen Worrall, 20, killed her sister Susan Worrall, 18: she armed herself with three knives, seized her sister by the neck and stabbed her several times in the neck and back. Aggravating: the degree of planning. Mitigating: mood disorder, guilty plea with a 25% discount, prospects of rehabilitation, remorse. (paras. 1, 2, 6, 13, 15, 36, 71, 72, 73)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/54a0079e3004262463c9fc2b"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Stephen Anthony Cavanagh", "quote": "Stephen Anthony Cavanagh (Offender)", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter of his mother, Estelle Cavanagh", "quote": "guilty of manslaughter by reason of substantial impairment of the mind and/or provocation", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Crimes Act s 23A (substantial impairment by abnormality of mind)", "quote": "Section 23A of the Crimes Act", "para": "19"}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty to murder; guilty of manslaughter by reason of substantial impairment of the mind and/or provocation", "quote": "pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty of manslaughter by reason of substantial impairment of the mind and/or provocation", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Imprisonment: non-parole period of 5 years (27 August 2008 to 27 August 2013), balance of term 4 years (expiring 27 August 2017); total 9 years", "quote": "I sentence you to imprisonment for a non-parole period of 5 years", "para": "39"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "108", "quote": "I sentence you to imprisonment for a non-parole period of 5 years", "para": "39"}, "victim": {"value": "Estelle Cavanagh", "quote": "killed his mother, Estelle Cavanagh", "para": "1"}, "relationship": {"value": "Mother of the offender", "quote": "killed his mother, Estelle Cavanagh", "para": "1"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "One prior conviction for a midrange PCA; treated as a first offender", "quote": "he had one conviction for a midrange PCA", "para": "24"}, "offender_age": {"value": "53", "quote": "Mr Cavanagh was 53 years of age", "para": "1"}, "key_facts": {"value": "After a tense argument with his mother about the house, he snapped, choked and strangled her with an extension lead, then buried her body in the mountains, using a crowbar to make it fit the hole", "quote": "he strangled her with an electric cord, wrapped her body in a tarpaulin", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "The attack and method of killing were brutal; rage evident, including in the burial", "quote": "Mr Cavanagh's attack on his mother, and the method by which he killed her was brutal", "para": "23"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Substantial impairment from major depression; genuine remorse; good character and charitable work; first offender; good prospects of rehabilitation; 25% discount for plea; assistance to police; special circumstances", "quote": "I consider that Mr Cavanagh has shown and feels genuine remorse", "para": "28"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court notes offender presented with a 'stereotypical masculine view of the world' in a 2003 report; no stated weight in sentencing", "quote": "stereotypical masculine view of the world", "para": "16"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Kathleen Worrall", "quote": "charging the offender, Kathleen Worrall, with the murder of her sister Susan Worrall", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter (reduced from murder by substantial impairment by abnormality of mind)", "quote": "pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis that her liability for the murder of her sister was reduced", "para": "2"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Crimes Act 1900 s 23A (substantial impairment by abnormality of mind)", "quote": "Section 23A of the Crimes Act 1900 provides that:", "para": "58"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty to manslaughter", "quote": "pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis that her liability for the murder of her sister was reduced", "para": "2"}, "sentence": {"value": "Imprisonment: non-parole period of 4 years and 3 months, plus balance of term of 1 year and 9 months (total 6 years)", "quote": "Kathleen Worrall I sentence you to imprisonment for a non-parole period of 4 years and 3 months", "para": "73"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "72", "quote": "Kathleen Worrall I sentence you to imprisonment for a non-parole period of 4 years and 3 months", "para": "73"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Did not submit against a 25 per cent discount for the guilty plea", "quote": "The Crown does not submit otherwise.", "para": "72"}, "victim": {"value": "Susan Worrall (the offender's sister)", "quote": "charging the offender, Kathleen Worrall, with the murder of her sister Susan Worrall", "para": "1"}, "victim_age": {"value": "18", "quote": "The deceased was aged 18.", "para": "6"}, "relationship": {"value": "Sister", "quote": "charging the offender, Kathleen Worrall, with the murder of her sister Susan Worrall", "para": "1"}, "offender_age": {"value": "20", "quote": "The offender was aged 20 at the time of the offence.", "para": "6"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender armed herself with knives, twice approached the sleeping or bathing sister intending to stab her, then grabbed her around the neck and stabbed her repeatedly in the neck and back; the sister died", "quote": "When the deceased came out of the bathroom the offender grabbed her around the neck and stabbed her repeatedly in the neck and back.", "para": "15"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Degree of planning, including purchasing a knife and arming herself with three knives in preparation to kill", "quote": "Having regard to the degree of planning the offender actively engaged in preparation for killing her sister", "para": "13"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Mood disorder substantially impairing capacity to control behaviour; guilty plea with 25 per cent discount; good prospects of rehabilitation; remorse", "quote": "With their continued support I assess her prospects of rehabilitation as most promising.", "para": "71"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court notes the offender's female sex and chromosomal female gender in her medical history", "quote": "to develop and function as a female consistent with her chromosomal female gender", "para": "36"}}}}
{"id": "019", "offence": "Manslaughter, New South Wales", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "2003 / 2004", "story": ["Both cases concern manslaughter and were heard by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Neither had a record. (para. 52; para. 30)", "Paul David Marlow, 27 at the time of the offence, inflicted fatal wounds on Christopher William Powell with a kitchen knife and then called 000. The jury found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The court imposed 9 years in custody, commencing 1 January 2002. (paras. 1, 2, 49, 71)", "Beryl Ann Mercy, almost 40, stabbed her de facto partner Berrin Dean Charles in the back with a kitchen knife. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court imposed a non-parole period of 2 years 3 months, with a total term of 5 years 11 months. (paras. 2, 3, 35)", "The court mentioned Mercy's children: it will be difficult, if not impossible, for them to visit her in prison, and only occasionally. This was taken into account in reducing the sentence. (para. 33)"], "male": {"case": "R v Marlow", "citation": "R v Marlow [2003] NSWSC 1130", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2003-12-05", "charge": "Murder; convicted of manslaughter", "outcome": "Jury: not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter; sentenced to custody", "sentence": "9 years", "facts": "Stabbed Christopher William Powell with a kitchen knife; an extremely brutal killing, the victim was defenceless; the court took into account provocation, no prior record, a discount of about 20% for the early guilty plea. (paras. 1, 2, 47, 52, 56, 71)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549fb4e83004262463b8f07d"}, "female": {"case": "REGINA v MERCY", "citation": "REGINA v MERCY [2004] NSWSC 472", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2004-04-19", "charge": "Manslaughter", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty; sentenced to custody", "sentence": "5 years 11 months, with a non-parole period of 2 years 3 months", "facts": "Stabbed her de facto partner in the back with a kitchen knife, and he died; the court found she meant only to frighten him; pleaded guilty at the first opportunity (25% discount), no record. (paras. 2, 30, 31, 35)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549faed43004262463b742a9"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Paul David Marlow", "quote": "Paul David Marlow, the prisoner, stood trial charged with having murdered Christopher William Powell", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter (jury verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter)", "quote": "the jury returned a verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter", "quote": "When indicted, the prisoner pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Nine years imprisonment, non-parole period of six years nine months (commencing 1 January 2002, expiring 30 September 2008)", "quote": "I sentence the prisoner to a term of imprisonment of nine years, commencing on 1 January 2002 and expiring on 31 December 2010.", "para": "71"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "108", "quote": "I sentence the prisoner to a term of imprisonment of nine years, commencing on 1 January 2002 and expiring on 31 December 2010.", "para": "71"}, "crown_position": {"value": "In the alternative, if a sexual assault on the night of the killing was not excluded, the appropriate sentence would be 'somewhere like' the sentence imposed in Johnson", "quote": "the appropriate sentence would be \"somewhere like\" the sentence imposed in Johnson.", "para": "63"}, "victim": {"value": "Christopher William Powell", "quote": "charged with having murdered Christopher William Powell, who met his death on 1 January 2002", "para": "1"}, "relationship": {"value": "Friend of the prisoner's mother and stepfather; the prisoner alleged the deceased had sexually assaulted him earlier", "quote": "The deceased and the prisoner's mother and the prisoner's stepfather were friends.", "para": "12"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No prior convictions", "quote": "The prisoner has no prior convictions.", "para": "52"}, "offender_age": {"value": "27 at the time of the offence (29 at sentence)", "quote": "so that when he committed this crime he was twenty-seven and he is presently twenty-nine years of age", "para": "49"}, "key_facts": {"value": "The prisoner stabbed the deceased in his kitchen with an 18 cm knife in a sustained attack; the deceased died. The jury rejected murder, and the court sentenced on the basis of provocation, having found that a sexual assault on the prisoner's sixteenth birthday and a possible sexual assault on the night of the killing were not excluded.", "quote": "Having inflicted what were inevitably fatal injuries using a kitchen knife, the prisoner called 000.", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Extremely violent killing; victim was defenceless when attacked; objective gravity assessed as high", "quote": "This was an extremely violent killing and the victim was defenceless when the prisoner attacked him.", "para": "47"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Provocation by cumulative sexual assaults; short time between provocation and loss of self-control; early plea of guilty to manslaughter (discount approaching twenty percent); no prior record; reasonable prospects of rehabilitation", "quote": "I propose to allow a discount approaching twenty percent.", "para": "56"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Beryl Anne Mercy", "quote": "The offender, Beryl Anne Mercy, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Berrin Dean Charles", "para": "2"}, "offence": {"value": "manslaughter", "quote": "has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Berrin Dean Charles on 12 February 2003", "para": "2"}, "plea": {"value": "guilty", "quote": "has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Berrin Dean Charles", "para": "2"}, "sentence": {"value": "Minimum term of two years and three months imprisonment, commencing 19 April 2004 and ending 18 July 2006 (parole eligibility), with a balance of two years and eight months expiring 18 March 2009; total of 5 years and 11 months", "quote": "you are sentenced to a minimum term of two years and three months imprisonment", "para": "35"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "71", "quote": "you are sentenced to a minimum term of two years and three months imprisonment", "para": "35"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Conceded the offender pleaded guilty at the first practicable opportunity", "quote": "The Crown Prosecutor has conceded that she pleaded guilty at the first practicable opportunity.", "para": "31"}, "victim": {"value": "Berrin Dean Charles", "quote": "the manslaughter of Berrin Dean Charles", "para": "2"}, "relationship": {"value": "De facto partner of the offender", "quote": "with whom she was then living in a de facto relationship", "para": "2"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "She has no criminal record.", "para": "30"}, "offender_age": {"value": "Will be forty years old in six months' time", "quote": "She will be forty years old in six months time.", "para": "3"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender stabbed her de facto partner in the back with a kitchen knife during a drunken argument after he had threatened and abused her; he died of blood loss from a lacerated spleen. Court found she intended only to frighten him and did not intend serious injury.", "quote": "The deceased died from a wound inflicted by the offender with a kitchen knife to the left back of his chest.", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Objective seriousness considerable; a knife was used to cause a lethal injury; she returned to the bedroom with the knife while other people, including her daughter, were in the house", "quote": "to use a knife to cause a lethal injury even in those circumstances, is a grave offence", "para": "22"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Guilty plea at first practicable opportunity (25% discount); genuine contrition; history of abuse and heavy drinking; serious medical condition; first lengthy imprisonment; 57 days on remand; onerous bail conditions", "quote": "I have no doubt that the offender is genuinely contrite for having killed the deceased.", "para": "31"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court refers to the offender's children and the difficulty they will have visiting her in prison, treated as a factor in reducing the sentence", "quote": "it will be difficult if not impossible for her children to visit her and then only rarely", "para": "33"}}}}
{"id": "018", "offence": "Manslaughter of an intimate partner", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "2009 / 2010", "story": ["Both cases were heard by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. A man and a woman pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a partner who was stabbed (paras. 1, 3; paras. 1, 9).", "Floyd Leslie Dowley in 2007 attacked his partner Susan Knott, 44, with a serrated knife after taking drugs and while suffering from untreated mental illness. He then stole a car and confessed. He had a troubling record with several violent offences. Sentence: 11 years in custody, with a non-parole period of 7 years; for the car theft, 12 months, fully concurrent (paras. 1, 3, 16, 42).", "Jacqueline Barbara Doolan, almost 43, had been drinking with her partner Glenn Green, 49. After an argument she ran after him down the street with a kitchen knife and stabbed him once in the left side of the chest near the shoulder. The death was not intended. Sentence: 6 years, with a non-parole period of 3 years 9 months (paras. 3, 9, 22).", "The court found Dowley's killing brutal and committed with a knife; his culpability was substantially reduced by his abnormal mental state. The Crown pointed out that even with medication in custody there is no certainty the risk will not return after release. For Doolan the court took into account the spontaneity of the offence, genuine remorse, early willingness to plead guilty and that it was her first time in custody (paras. 35, 37, 38; para. 18)."], "male": {"case": "R v Floyd Leslie DOWLEY", "citation": "R v Floyd Leslie DOWLEY [2009] NSWSC 722", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2009-07-30", "charge": "Manslaughter of his partner on the ground of substantial impairment (s 23A), and taking a car, deemed larceny", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty; sentenced to custody", "sentence": "11 years, non-parole period 7 years; for the car theft 12 months, fully concurrent", "facts": "Attacked his partner Susan Knott, 44, with a serrated knife after taking drugs and while suffering from untreated mental illness, then stole a car and confessed; the court found the killing brutal, took into account his troubling record, but also the substantial reduction in culpability from his abnormal mental state and a 15% discount for the guilty plea (paras. 1, 2, 3, 16, 35, 38, 42).", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549ff0673004262463c4f2a3"}, "female": {"case": "R v DOOLAN", "citation": "R v DOOLAN [2010] NSWSC 615", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2010-06-07", "charge": "Manslaughter — unlawful and dangerous act; accepted in place of the murder charge", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty; sentenced to custody", "sentence": "6 years, non-parole period 3 years 9 months, balance of term 2 years 3 months", "facts": "She was drunk; after an argument she ran after her partner Glenn Green, 49, with a kitchen knife and stabbed him once in the left side of the chest near the shoulder; the offence was spontaneous, the death not intended; the court took into account genuine remorse, a 20% discount for the guilty plea, good prospects of rehabilitation and her first custody (paras. 1, 3, 9, 18, 22).", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/54a004193004262463c93fea"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Floyd Leslie Dowley", "quote": "The offender, Floyd Leslie Dowley, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his partner", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter of partner Susan Knott, and deemed larceny of a motor vehicle", "quote": "pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his partner, Susan Knott, at Berkeley on 24 November 2007", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Crimes Act 1900 s 23A (substantial impairment); Crimes Act 1900 s 154A(1) (deemed larceny of motor vehicle)", "quote": "The basis of the plea is substantial impairment by abnormality of mind: s 23A of the Crimes Act 1900.", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty to manslaughter", "quote": "has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his partner, Susan Knott", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Manslaughter: 11 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 7 years; deemed larceny of motor vehicle: 12 months, wholly concurrent", "quote": "and a balance of term of 4 years, commencing on 24 November 2014 and expiring on 23 November 2018", "para": "42"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "132", "quote": "and a balance of term of 4 years, commencing on 24 November 2014 and expiring on 23 November 2018", "para": "42"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Crown submitted that despite medication in custody, the risk could not be discounted on release, stressing general and personal deterrence", "quote": "the Crown prosecutor submitted, despite his compliance with a regime of medication while in custody, one could not be confident that that risk would not come home upon his release into the community.", "para": "37"}, "victim": {"value": "Susan Knott (offender's partner)", "quote": "his partner, Susan Knott, at Berkeley on 24 November 2007", "para": "1"}, "victim_age": {"value": "44", "quote": "and Ms Knott was 44", "para": "2"}, "relationship": {"value": "Partner in a relationship of some years", "quote": "They had been in a relationship for some years.", "para": "2"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Disturbing criminal history with multiple violence offences, including assaults between 2001 and 2007", "quote": "The offender has a disturbing criminal history.", "para": "16"}, "offender_age": {"value": "41", "quote": "At the time of the killing, the offender was 41 years old", "para": "2"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender stabbed and slashed partner's throat with a serrated knife after drug use and untreated mental illness; he then stole a vehicle and made admissions", "quote": "the offender attacked Ms Knott with a serrated edged knife", "para": "3"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Brutal, ferocious killing with a knife; disturbing violent criminal history; need for general deterrence", "quote": "This was a brutal killing, perpetrated by the use of a knife.", "para": "35"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Substantial impairment from acute psychosis and abnormal mental state; guilty plea with 15% reduction; some insight and prospects of rehabilitation", "quote": "I am satisfied that the offender's culpability for the crime is significantly reduced by his abnormal mental state.", "para": "38"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Jacqueline Barbara DOOLAN", "quote": "Jacqueline Barbara DOOLAN - Offender", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter (unlawful and dangerous act), accepted in discharge of an indictment for murder", "quote": "you pleaded guilty to manslaughter which the Crown has accepted in discharge of the indictment against you", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "you pleaded guilty to manslaughter", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Imprisonment: non parole period of three years and nine months, with a balance term of two years three months (total six years)", "quote": "imprisonment consisting of a non parole period of three years and nine months", "para": "22"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "72", "quote": "with a balance term of two years three months to commence on 6 December 2012", "para": "22"}, "victim": {"value": "Glenn Green", "quote": "the victim, Glenn Green, was aged 49", "para": "3"}, "victim_age": {"value": "49", "quote": "the victim, Glenn Green, was aged 49", "para": "3"}, "relationship": {"value": "Intimate partner; the offender and victim had a volatile relationship from about 2005", "quote": "You and Mr Green had commenced a relationship in round about 2005", "para": "5"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Prior convictions, including two for driving with the prescribed concentration of alcohol (1990 and 1992); not regarded as weighing against her", "quote": "You have some prior convictions which, although two convictions for driving with the prescribed concentration of alcohol in 1990 and 1992 tend to confirm your problems with alcohol", "para": "15"}, "offender_age": {"value": "Nearly 43 at the time of the offence", "quote": "You were then aged nearly 43", "para": "3"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Both parties intoxicated; after a heated exchange the offender chased the victim up the street holding a kitchen knife and stabbed him once in the chest near the shoulder; death was unintended", "quote": "with a downward thrust, stabbed Glenn Green once to the left side of his chest near his shoulder.", "para": "9"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Use of a weapon (a knife)", "quote": "the offence involved the use of a weapon, namely the knife", "para": "18"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Spontaneous and unplanned offence; genuine remorse; early and consistent willingness to plead guilty (20% discount); good prospects of rehabilitation; first time in custody", "quote": "the offence was spontaneous and wholly unplanned", "para": "18"}}}}
{"id": "017", "offence": "Manslaughter, New South Wales", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "2000 / 2000", "story": ["Both cases were heard by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. In both, the accused was convicted of the manslaughter of a partner: in one case the victim was a former de facto partner, in the other a husband.", "He, Shane Eugene Olig, early in the morning of 24 July 1999 kicked in the door of the house of his former de facto partner Annette Openshaw and lit a fire there with a jerry can of petrol. She died in the fire. He was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter. Sentence: 12 years, with at least 8 years before parole.", "She, Lynette May Vandersee, on 30 June 1999 struck her sleeping husband Bruce Vandersee on the head eight times with the blunt side of an axe. She then washed the axe, covered her husband with a blanket and the same day surrendered to police and confessed. She was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter. Sentence: 8 years, with at least 5 years before parole.", "The court noted that domestic violence is overwhelmingly committed by men against women and children. In Vandersee's case the court cited the fact that she is a middle-aged woman who had never been in prison as one of the grounds for special circumstances under section 44."], "male": {"case": "REGINA v OLIG", "citation": "REGINA v OLIG [2000] NSWSC 1242", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2000-12-21", "charge": "Murder; convicted of manslaughter", "outcome": "Acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter", "sentence": "12 years, with at least 8 years before parole", "facts": "Lit a fire in his former de facto partner's house early on 24 July 1999 after kicking in the door, with a jerry can of petrol; she died in the fire. The court found he meant to frighten her and set the house alight, and was indifferent to the risk to her. He is 36, no significant record. (paras. 2, 4, 26, 33)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549fa24f3004262463b39006"}, "female": {"case": "R v Vandersee", "citation": "R v Vandersee [2000] NSWSC 916", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2000-09-18", "charge": "Murder; convicted of the manslaughter of her husband", "outcome": "Acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter", "sentence": "8 years, with at least 5 years before parole", "facts": "On 30 June 1999 struck her sleeping husband eight times on the head with an axe, then washed the axe, covered him with a blanket and the same day surrendered to police and confessed. She was 47, never previously charged. The court took into account provocation, mild depression and a history of violence. (paras. 1, 2, 15, 128, 148, 154)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/549fa64a3004262463b4d9b0"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Shane Eugen Olig", "quote": "Regina v Shane Eugen Olig", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter", "quote": "but convicted of manslaughter.", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Imprisonment for twelve years from 24 July 1999, with a non-parole period of eight years expiring 23 July 2007", "quote": "you are sentenced to imprisonment for twelve years from 24 July 1999", "para": "33"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "144", "quote": "you are sentenced to imprisonment for twelve years from 24 July 1999", "para": "33"}, "victim": {"value": "Annette Openshaw", "quote": "Ms Openshaw died in a fire lit in her home by the offender", "para": "2"}, "relationship": {"value": "Former de facto partner of the offender, separated in February 1999", "quote": "The offender and the deceased were, for some fifteen years or so, in what appears to have been a close and mutually supportive relationship", "para": "4"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No significant criminal convictions", "quote": "He is now 36 years of age and has no significant criminal convictions.", "para": "26"}, "offender_age": {"value": "36", "quote": "He is now 36 years of age", "para": "26"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender lit a fire in the deceased's home early on 24 July 1999 after kicking in the door with a can of petrol; he was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter; the court found he intended to frighten and burn the house and was indifferent to the risk of injury to the deceased", "quote": "Ms Openshaw died in a fire lit in her home by the offender at about 6.30 am on 24 July 1999.", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Offender broke into the victim's home; domestic violence context; lack of genuine remorse and dishonest evidence at trial; threat to burn the house down in the victim's presence", "quote": "It is an aggravating feature of the offender's offence, that he committed it after breaking into the victim's home.", "para": "24"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Offender did not intend to kill or cause serious bodily injury; his actions were primarily directed at property; he almost immediately regretted them; difficult childhood and limited intellectual abilities (though court held these did not significantly mitigate culpability)", "quote": "I accept, however, that the offender's actions were primarily directed against the property rather than Ms Openshaw and, as I have already said, that he almost immediately regretted them.", "para": "20"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court observed that offences of domestic violence are overwhelmingly committed by men upon women and children; no specific gender-based factor applied to sentence the offender", "quote": "Overwhelmingly, they are committed by men upon women and children.", "para": "25"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Lynette May Vandersee", "quote": "the prisoner Lynette May Vandersee not guilty of murder", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter of her husband Bruce Vandersee", "quote": "guilty of the manslaughter, of her husband Bruce Vandersee at Central Tilba on 30 June 1999", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Crimes Act s24 (manslaughter penalty); s23A (substantial impairment)", "quote": "Under s24 of the Crimes Act the maximum penalty for manslaughter is imprisonment for twenty five years.", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Imprisonment for eight years commencing 1 August 2000, with a non-parole period of five years", "quote": "I sentence you to imprisonment for eight years commencing on 1 August 2000", "para": "154"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "96", "quote": "I sentence you to imprisonment for eight years commencing on 1 August 2000", "para": "154"}, "victim": {"value": "Bruce Vandersee, the offender's husband", "quote": "her husband Bruce Vandersee at Central Tilba on 30 June 1999", "para": "1"}, "relationship": {"value": "Victim was the offender's husband", "quote": "the prisoner moved in with the deceased just before Christmas 1980 and they were married on 31 July 1982", "para": "20"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No previous criminal history", "quote": "She had no previous criminal history.", "para": "148"}, "offender_age": {"value": "47 at time of offence (49 at sentencing)", "quote": "so that she was forty seven years old as at 30 June 1999 and she is now forty nine years old", "para": "15"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender struck her sleeping husband eight times on the head with the blunt end of an axe on 30 June 1999, then washed the axe, covered him with a doona, and later that day surrendered to police and admitted killing him", "quote": "the prisoner had killed her husband by striking him a number of times on the head, while he was sleeping", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Very great degree of violence: eight blows with a severe degree of force while the victim slept; intent to kill found; some hours elapsed and intention was formed before the killing", "quote": "The degree of violence was very great. The prisoner struck the deceased eight times on the head with the axe with a severe degree of force, while the deceased was sleeping.", "para": "147"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Provocation by the deceased's conduct; mild depression at the time of the killing; history of abuse; no prior criminal record; early admissions to police; positive references and rehabilitation progress", "quote": "she was suffering from mild depression at the time of killing the deceased and this state of mind is a circumstance of mitigation.", "para": "128"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court referred to the offender being a middle-aged woman who had never been in prison as a factor supporting special circumstances under s44", "quote": "the prisoner is a middle aged woman who has never been in prison before", "para": "153"}}}}
{"id": "016", "offence": "Conspiracy to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth (tax fraud) and conspiracy to deal with money reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime (money laundering). New South Wales, Australia.", "jurisdiction": "Australia, New South Wales", "years": "2023 / 2023", "story": ["Adam and Lauren Cranston were convicted in the Supreme Court of New South Wales of the same conspiracy on two counts: tax fraud against the Commonwealth and money laundering. Both were convicted by a jury after trial; both pleaded not guilty. The Plutus scheme of unpaid payroll tax and GST caused a loss of at least $105,625,304.36. (para. 1; other paragraph numbers not given in the record)", "Adam, 36, no record, was one of the architects of both conspiracies for more than three years and controlled the second-tier companies. He gained at least $6,861,782.17. The court agreed with the Crown that his criminality was slightly higher than Menon's. Sentence: 15 years in custody (9 years and 12 years on the two counts, accumulated), with a non-parole period of 10 years. (para. 1; other paragraph numbers not given in the record)", "Lauren, 21 at the start of the charge period, was previously of good character. She processed payroll payments and made transfers from the accounts of the second-tier companies, knowing of the fraud from no later than February 2015, for more than two years. The court took into account her subordinate role, small gain and misguided loyalty to her brother Adam. Sentence: 8 years in custody (4 years and 6 years, accumulated by 2 years), with a non-parole period of 5 years. (paragraph numbers not given in the record)", "The court noted that Adam's wife, in a written statement, described him as a caring father and husband, and fatherhood was taken into account in assessing hardship to his family. Of Lauren the court said: \"She is a good mother to her young daughter\" and treated the effect of the sentence on her daughter as a mitigating family factor. The Crown considered Lauren's role slightly higher than Hammond's. (paragraph numbers not given in the record)"], "male": {"case": "R v Adam Cranston", "citation": "R v Adam Cranston [2023] NSWSC 1004", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2023-08-22", "charge": "Conspiracy to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth and conspiracy to deal with money reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime (Criminal Code (Cth) s 135.4(3); ss 11.5(1) and 400.3(1))", "outcome": "Found guilty on both counts by a jury; pleaded not guilty", "sentence": "15 years (9 years and 12 years, accumulated); non-parole period 10 years", "facts": "Plutus scheme: at least $105,625,304.36; controlled the second-tier companies, gained at least $6,861,782.17, one of the architects of both conspiracies for more than three years; 36, no record. (para. 1; other paragraph numbers not given in the record)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18a1b1be76d2776de8cf01de"}, "female": {"case": "R v Lauren Cranston", "citation": "R v Lauren Cranston [2023] NSWSC 454", "court": "Supreme Court of New South Wales", "date": "2023-05-01", "charge": "Conspiracy to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth and conspiracy to deal with money of $1,000,000 or more reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime (Criminal Code (Cth) s 135.4(3); ss 11.5(1) and 400.3(1))", "outcome": "Found guilty on both counts by a jury; pleaded not guilty", "sentence": "8 years (4 years and 6 years, accumulated by 2 years); non-parole period 5 years", "facts": "Plutus scheme: at least $105,625,304.36 taken, loss to the Commonwealth at least $101,584,925; processed payroll and made payments from the accounts of the second-tier companies, knowingly involved from no later than February 2015; 21 at the start of the charge period; previously of good character. (paragraph numbers not given in the record)", "source": "https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/187d50b6c8c2d5f04063b2b0"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Adam Michael Cranston", "quote": "Adam Michael Cranston (Offender)", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Conspiracy to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth (tax fraud conspiracy) and conspiracy to deal with money believed to be proceeds of crime (money laundering conspiracy)", "quote": "conspiring with each other, Simon Paul Anquetil, Devyn Michelle Hammond, Joshua Meredith Kitson, Peter Larcombe, Daniel Rostankovski and divers others with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to a third person, namely the Commonwealth.", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Criminal Code (Cth) s 135.4(3); ss 11.5(1) and 400.3(1)", "quote": "Contrary to sections 11.5(1) and 400.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty; convicted by jury verdict after trial on both counts", "quote": "the jury returned verdicts of guilty on both counts in relation to Mr Cranston.", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "9 years imprisonment for tax fraud conspiracy; 12 years imprisonment for money laundering conspiracy; accumulated so effective head sentence is 15 years; single non-parole period of 10 years; first parole eligibility 5 March 2033", "quote": "Under s 19AB of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) a single non-parole period of 10 years commencing on 6 March 2023 is fixed;", "para": ""}, "sentence_months": {"value": "180", "quote": "I have imposed an effective head sentence of 15 years imprisonment commencing on 6 March 2023 and expiring on 5 March 2038.", "para": ""}, "crown_position": {"value": "Crown submitted objective seriousness of Mr Cranston's conduct is slightly above Mr Menon's", "quote": "The Crown submitted, and I agree, that the objective seriousness of Mr Cranston's conduct is slightly above Mr Menon", "para": ""}, "victim": {"value": "The Commonwealth", "quote": "dishonestly causing a loss to a third person, namely the Commonwealth.", "para": "1"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "Mr Cranston is 36 years of age and has no criminal record.", "para": ""}, "offender_age": {"value": "36", "quote": "Mr Cranston is 36 years of age and has no criminal record.", "para": ""}, "key_facts": {"value": "Plutus payroll scheme misappropriated at least $105,625,304.36 in PAYGW and GST; Cranston controlled second tier companies, received financial gain of not less than $6,861,782.17, and was an architect of both conspiracies over more than three years", "quote": "I find that for his role in the conspiracies, Mr Cranston received a financial gain of not less than $6,861,782.17", "para": ""}, "aggravating": {"value": "Highest range of objective seriousness; sophisticated, planned and deceptive offending over more than three years; principal financial motivation; use of vulnerable straw directors; use of good character to assist offending; general deterrence weighs heavily; limited contrition and insight", "quote": "I find that the two conspiracies fall towards the highest range of objective seriousness of offences of this kind", "para": ""}, "mitigating": {"value": "Co-operative conduct of trial; limited assistance to AFP in recovering proceeds; delay and uncertain suspense; custody likely to be harder due to mental health conditions; good character references; family hardship", "quote": "I take into account in Mr Cranston's favour this important degree of co-operation in the conduct of the trial.", "para": ""}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court notes wife's affidavit describing Mr Cranston as a caring and supportive father and husband; fatherhood referred to in family hardship assessment", "quote": "described Mr Cranston as a caring and supportive father and husband", "para": ""}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Lauren Anne Cranston", "quote": "Lauren Anne Cranston (Offender)", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Conspiracy to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth (tax fraud conspiracy) and conspiracy to deal with money of $1,000,000 or more believing it to be proceeds of crime (money laundering conspiracy)", "quote": "with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to a third person, namely the Commonwealth", "para": ""}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Criminal Code (Cth) s 135.4(3); ss 11.5(1) and 400.3(1)", "quote": "Contrary to sections 11.5(1) and 400.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).", "para": ""}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty; convicted by jury verdict on both counts", "quote": "Ms Cranston pleaded not guilty and put the Crown to proof, as was her right.", "para": ""}, "sentence": {"value": "4 years imprisonment for tax fraud conspiracy and 6 years for money laundering conspiracy, accumulated by 2 years; effective head sentence 8 years with a single non-parole period of 5 years; first eligible for parole 13 March 2028", "quote": "I have imposed an effective head sentence of 8 years imprisonment commencing on 14 March 2023 and expiring on 13 March 2031.", "para": ""}, "sentence_months": {"value": "96", "quote": "I have imposed an effective head sentence of 8 years imprisonment commencing on 14 March 2023 and expiring on 13 March 2031.", "para": ""}, "crown_position": {"value": "Crown submitted Ms Cranston's role was slightly above Ms Hammond's role", "quote": "whether, as the Crown submits, Ms Cranston's role in the conspiracies was \"slightly above\" Ms Hammond", "para": ""}, "victim": {"value": "The Commonwealth (Australian Taxation Office revenue)", "quote": "with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to a third person, namely the Commonwealth", "para": ""}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Prior good character", "quote": "The offender is a person of prior good character which should be taken into account in her favour", "para": ""}, "offender_age": {"value": "21 at the commencement of the indictment period (22 by February 2015)", "quote": "The offender was 21 at the commencement of the indictment period.", "para": ""}, "key_facts": {"value": "Plutus payroll scheme withheld PAYGW and GST owed to the ATO; at least $105,625,304.36 misappropriated; offender processed payroll and made payments from 2nd tier company accounts, knowingly participating from no later than February 2015; loss to Commonwealth at least $101,584,925", "quote": "Between 2014 and 2017, Plutus collected from its legitimate clients $141,291,923.08 in PAYGW and GST that it was obliged to remit to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).", "para": ""}, "aggravating": {"value": "Loss of over $100 million to the Commonwealth; sustained involvement over more than 2 years; breach of trust; participation in concealment and destruction of records; no contrition shown", "quote": "The offender's knowing participation in the conspiracies occurred over a period exceeding 2 years.", "para": ""}, "mitigating": {"value": "Young and inexperienced; subordinate role acting on instructions; comparatively small financial gain; misplaced loyalty to brother; co-operation in conduct of trial; delay of years before sentence; prior good character; hardship to daughter and family", "quote": "her participation was primarily the result of a misguided sense of loyalty to the people directing the conspiracies, particularly her brother, Adam Cranston.", "para": ""}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court notes offender is a good mother to her young daughter, and considers the effect of the sentence on her daughter as a family factor in mitigation", "quote": "She is a good mother to her young daughter.", "para": ""}}}}
{"id": "015", "offence": "Aggravated assault (both Ontario, Court of Appeal)", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2019 / 2020", "story": ["Both cases were decided by the Court of Appeal for Ontario. In both, the accused was convicted of aggravated assault, neither had a record, and both relied on self-defence under s. 34 of the Criminal Code (paras. 17, 10).", "He, Mark Foster, cut John Lavery with a box cutter during a fight and caused a serious injury. He was also convicted of possessing various drugs. The trial court imposed 2 years less a day; on appeal it was reduced to 12 months in custody. The drug sentences and two years of probation remained (paras. 3, 28).", "She, Ashmin Randhawa, stabbed Clayton Pye near the left collarbone during a fight. The trial court found her response disproportionate to the threat. She received 12 months in custody and 2 years of probation; the Crown had asked for 21 months. On appeal the term was replaced with a conditional sentence with probation, a 10-year weapons prohibition and a DNA order (paras. 7, 13, 22, 40).", "The court noted that the trial judge had taken into account that the accused is a petite woman. She was 23 years and 8 months old, a student and a young first offender (paras. 18, 30)."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Foster", "citation": "2019 ONCA 282", "court": "Court of Appeal for Ontario", "date": "2019-04-09", "charge": "Aggravated assault and possession of various drugs", "outcome": "Sentence appeal allowed in part: term reduced, victim surcharge set aside", "sentence": "2 years less a day, reduced to 12 months in custody", "facts": "Cut Lavery with a box cutter, caused a serious injury; no prior record; the assault was not premeditated (paras. 3, 22, 28).", "source": "https://coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/item/17734/index.do"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Randhawa", "citation": "2020 ONCA 668", "court": "Court of Appeal for Ontario", "date": "2020-10-23", "charge": "Aggravated assault and assault with a weapon", "outcome": "Conviction appeal dismissed, sentence appeal allowed", "sentence": "Conditional sentence with probation (was 12 months in custody and 2 years of probation)", "facts": "Stabbed Pye near the left collarbone; the Crown asked for 21 months; no prior record (paras. 7, 22, 30, 40).", "source": "https://coadecisions.ontariocourts.ca/coa/coa/en/item/19151/index.do"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Mark Foster", "quote": "Mark Foster", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Aggravated assault and possession of various drugs", "quote": "The appellant was convicted of aggravated assault and possession of various drugs.", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "s. 34 (self-defence, referenced in the appeal; no offence section stated)", "quote": "the three elements of self-defence under s. 34 of the Criminal Code", "para": "17"}, "sentence": {"value": "Two years less a day on the aggravated assault charge, reduced to 12 months' imprisonment on appeal; drug sentences concurrent and two years' probation unchanged; victim surcharge deleted", "quote": "In the result, we reduce the sentence on the aggravated assault charge to 12 months’ imprisonment, and delete the victim surcharge.", "para": "28"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "12", "quote": "In the result, we reduce the sentence on the aggravated assault charge to 12 months’ imprisonment, and delete the victim surcharge.", "para": "28"}, "victim": {"value": "John Lavery", "quote": "slashed Mr. Lavery with an X-Acto knife, causing serious injury", "para": "3"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "First offender", "quote": "The appellant is a first offender.", "para": "22"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Appellant slashed victim with an X-Acto knife during an altercation; the trial judge found the assault was an act of aggression; conviction appeal dismissed and sentence reduced on appeal", "quote": "the appellant slashed Mr. Lavery with an X-Acto knife, causing serious injury", "para": "3"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Serious injury to victim; denunciation and deterrence important in aggravated assault", "quote": "we agree with the trial judge’s assessment of the seriousness of the offence and the injuries suffered by the victim", "para": "21"}, "mitigating": {"value": "First offender; assault not premeditated; significant steps in rehabilitation; insight into offending; supportive partner and family", "quote": "The assault was not premeditated", "para": "22"}, "appeal_result": {"value": "Conviction appeal dismissed; sentence reduced from two years less a day to 12 months' imprisonment; victim surcharge deleted", "quote": "In the result, we reduce the sentence on the aggravated assault charge to 12 months’ imprisonment, and delete the victim surcharge.", "para": "28"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Ashmin Randhawa", "quote": "Ashmin Randhawa", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Aggravated assault and assault with a weapon", "quote": "one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault with a weapon", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "s. 34 (self-defence provision raised at trial; offence sections not stated)", "quote": "Section 34 of the Criminal Code, which replaced the earlier provisions relating to self-defence in 2013", "para": "10"}, "sentence": {"value": "Suspended sentence with probation, ten-year weapons prohibition and DNA order (on appeal, varied from 12 months custody plus two years probation)", "quote": "vary the sentence to a suspended sentence together with the other terms imposed by the trial judge", "para": "40"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "0", "quote": "vary the sentence to a suspended sentence together with the other terms imposed by the trial judge", "para": "40"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Sought a 21-month jail sentence", "quote": "the Crown sought a 21-month jail sentence", "para": "22"}, "victim": {"value": "Clayton Pye (stabbed)", "quote": "stabbed Mr. Pye with a knife", "para": "2"}, "relationship": {"value": "Victim previously had a romantic relationship with the offender", "quote": "Mr. Pye, who previously had been in a romantic relationship with the appellant", "para": "3"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "First-time offender", "quote": "The appellant, who was 23 years and eight months old, and a student at the time of the offence, was a youthful first-time offender.", "para": "30"}, "offender_age": {"value": "23 years and eight months at time of offence", "quote": "The appellant, who was 23 years and eight months old", "para": "30"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender, who had consumed cocaine, stabbed Pye in the clavicle area during a fight in which Heyes had been taken down by wrestlers; trial judge found the force was not life-threatening and her response disproportionate; on appeal, sentence varied to suspended sentence.", "quote": "She then moved towards Mr. Pye, raised her arm, and stabbed him in the left clavicle area.", "para": "7"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Use of a knife; response wholly disproportionate to the threat faced", "quote": "the appellant's conduct was wholly disproportionate to the threat Mr. Heyes faced", "para": "13"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Youthful first-time offender; subjective belief in defending another; continued rehabilitation efforts", "quote": "The fresh evidence, which I would admit, indicates she has continued her efforts to rehabilitate herself.", "para": "33"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Trial judge noted the appellant is a petite female when assessing relative size of the parties", "quote": "He was well aware that the appellant is a petite female", "para": "18"}, "appeal_result": {"value": "Conviction appeal dismissed; sentence appeal allowed and sentence varied to a suspended sentence", "quote": "I would dismiss the appeal from conviction, grant leave to appeal the sentence, allow the appeal on sentence", "para": "40"}}}}
{"id": "014", "offence": "Manslaughter, Nova Scotia", "jurisdiction": "Nova Scotia", "years": "2019 / 2026", "story": ["Both he and she were convicted of manslaughter in Nova Scotia. Both pleaded guilty. In both cases the Crown and the defence jointly proposed the sentence.", "Robert Jason MacKenzie, 39, had been in a relationship with Agnes Nicole Campbell (36) for only a few weeks. She was found dead at the top of the stairs in his apartment after a noise complaint. She had five stab wounds to the neck. Both had been using alcohol and drugs. He has a record from 1997 to 2006. The court imposed 15 years in custody. With credit for 1,722 days of pre-sentence custody (1.5 days per day), 10 years and 107 days remained to be served. (paras. 1, 3, 6, 11, 13, 15, 19, 24, 28)", "Carolyn Anne Dermody was 25 in November 2023. She had known 48-year-old Natasha Leroy for almost her whole life. Dermody stabbed Leroy three times in the torso and abdomen, did not call for help and drove to Halifax; the body was hidden and set on fire. Leroy was drunk and unarmed. Dermody has an extensive record. The court imposed 8 years in custody with credit for pre-sentence custody at 1.5 to 1 (1,714 days). (paras. 2, 14, 27, 69)", "The court noted a brutal, unprovoked attack committed while she was on probation and under a weapons prohibition. Mitigating factors: guilty plea, youth, willingness to take programs and a hard past of violence and instability. (paras. 3, 58)"], "male": {"case": "R. v. MacKenzie", "citation": "2019 NSSC 67", "court": "Supreme Court of Nova Scotia", "date": "2019-02-21", "charge": "Manslaughter", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty; sentenced on a joint recommendation", "sentence": "15 years", "facts": "Campbell found dead at the stairs in his apartment, five stab wounds to the neck; the relationship had lasted a few weeks; record from 1997–2006; aggravating: weapon, domestic context; mitigating: guilty plea. (paras. 1, 3, 6, 13, 19, 24, 28)", "source": "https://decisia.lexum.com/nsc/nssc/en/item/363623/index.do"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Dermody", "citation": "2026 NSSC 300", "court": "Supreme Court of Nova Scotia", "date": "2026-09-17", "charge": "Manslaughter, Criminal Code s. 236(b)", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty; sentenced on a joint recommendation", "sentence": "8 years", "facts": "Three stab wounds to Leroy's torso and abdomen, did not call for help, drove to Halifax; extensive record; aggravating: brutality, probation, weapons prohibition; mitigating: guilty plea, youth, hard past. (paras. 1, 2, 3, 14, 27, 58, 69)", "source": "https://decisia.lexum.com/nsc/nssc/en/item/523938/index.do"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Robert Jason MacKenzie", "quote": "Robert Jason MacKenzie appears for sentencing having entered a guilty plea", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter", "quote": "guilty plea to the offence of manslaughter in the death of Agnes Nicole Campbell", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "having entered a guilty plea to the offence of manslaughter", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "15 years imprisonment (joint recommendation accepted); with 1722 days pre-sentence custody credited at 1.5 days per day, 10 years and 107 days remain to be served", "quote": "sentence Mr. MacKenzie to 15 years imprisonment", "para": "28"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "180", "quote": "sentence Mr. MacKenzie to 15 years imprisonment", "para": "28"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Joint recommendation of 15 years imprisonment with credit for pre-sentence custody", "quote": "jointly recommend a sentence of 15 years imprisonment for this offence with credit given for pre-sentence custody", "para": "24"}, "victim": {"value": "Agnes Nicole Campbell", "quote": "death of Agnes Nicole Campbell", "para": "1"}, "victim_age": {"value": "36", "quote": "Ms. Campbell was 36 years old at the time of her death", "para": "15"}, "relationship": {"value": "Domestic-type relationship of only a matter of weeks before the incident", "quote": "had entered into a domestic type relationship for only a matter of weeks prior to the incident", "para": "3"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Yes, criminal record dating from 1997 to 2006, including restricted drugs and possession of stolen property", "quote": "Mr. MacKenzie has a criminal record dating from 1997 to 2006", "para": "13"}, "offender_age": {"value": "39", "quote": "Mr. MacKenzie is 39 years of age", "para": "11"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Victim found dead at top of stairs to offender's apartment after noise complaint; five stab wounds to neck; both had consumed alcohol and drugs; offender admitted high intoxication", "quote": "five stab wounds to the back and side of Ms. Campbell’s neck", "para": "6"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Criminal record; use of a weapon (multiple stabbings to the neck); left victim on the floor after inflicting wounds; domestic in nature", "quote": "The offender used a weapon in causing the victim’s death", "para": "19"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Guilty plea", "quote": "The offender entered a plea of guilty.", "para": "19"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Carolyn Ann Dermody", "quote": "Carolyn Ann Dermody", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Manslaughter", "quote": "did thereby commit manslaughter, contrary to section 236(b) of the Criminal Code", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Criminal Code s. 236(b)", "quote": "contrary to section 236(b) of the Criminal Code", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "Ms. Dermody has entered a guilty plea to the charge", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "8 years incarceration, reduced by remand credit of 1.5:1 (1714 days go forward)", "quote": "Ms. Dermody is sentenced to a period of 8 years incarceration, to be reduced by remand credit of 1.5:1.", "para": "69"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "96", "quote": "Ms. Dermody is sentenced to a period of 8 years incarceration", "para": "69"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Joint recommendation of 8 years incarceration reduced by remand credit of 1.5:1", "quote": "The Crown and Defence have jointly recommended a sentence of 8 years incarceration reduced by remand credit of 1.5:1.", "para": "27"}, "victim": {"value": "Natacha Leroy", "quote": "Natacha Leroy [LEROY] was 48-years-old.", "para": "2"}, "victim_age": {"value": "48", "quote": "Natacha Leroy [LEROY] was 48-years-old.", "para": "2"}, "relationship": {"value": "Offender had known the victim for most of her life; families well known to each other", "quote": "Dermody had known Leroy for most of her life.", "para": "2"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "Extensive record including assaults, unlawful possession of firearms, dangerous driving, theft, mischief, and many breaches of court orders", "quote": "The record that has been tendered is extensive.", "para": "14"}, "offender_age": {"value": "25 at time of offence", "quote": "In November 2023, Carolyn Ann Dermody [DERMODY] was 25 years old.", "para": "2"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Stabbed the victim three times in the torso/abdomen; did not seek medical help; left the area and fled to Halifax; body concealed and fire set; victim was intoxicated and unarmed", "quote": "Dermody stabbed Leroy three times in the torso/abdomen in the area of vital organs", "para": "2"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Callous, unprovoked and brutal attack; victim unarmed, intoxicated and vulnerable; fled without medical help and fled jurisdiction; offence committed while on probation and under a weapons prohibition order; history of violence", "quote": "The circumstances of this offence showed a callous and unprovoked level of violence", "para": "3"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Guilty plea showing acceptance of responsibility, spared witnesses testifying, saved trial time; young age; some willingness to accept programming; difficult background of abuse and instability", "quote": "She entered a plea of guilty which is evidence of the acceptance of responsibility - it is a mitigating factor.", "para": "58"}}}}
{"id": "013", "offence": "Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking (Canada, British Columbia)", "jurisdiction": "British Columbia", "years": "2017 / 2016", "story": ["Both cases were heard in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Both were tried for possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. In both cases the Crown asked for four years in custody.", "Shelden Durno Harris, 33, had no record. He was convicted on five counts: cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, TFMPP and hashish. Police found 1,110.01 g of cocaine, 210 g of heroin, 306.79 g of methamphetamine and 464.12 g of TFMPP on him. The court imposed 36 months in custody.", "Christie Lee Chamberlain, 34, had no relevant record. She pleaded guilty to three counts: cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. The drugs were valued at $100,000–116,000. The court imposed 2 years in custody.", "The court told Harris it hoped the joy of fatherhood and his family would help him lead a law-abiding life."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Harris", "citation": "2017 BCSC 1552", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2017-07-21", "charge": "Five counts: possession of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, TFMPP and hashish for the purpose of trafficking", "outcome": "Found guilty on all five counts on 23 June 2017", "sentence": "36 months in custody", "facts": "Harris is 33, no record. Police found 1,110.01 g of cocaine, 210 g of heroin, 306.79 g of methamphetamine and 464.12 g of TFMPP. The Crown asked for four years. The court imposed 36 months in custody. (paras. 1, 2, 7, 22, 29, 37, 84, 98)", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/17/15/2017BCSC1552.htm"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Chamberlain", "citation": "2016 BCSC 379", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2016-02-19", "charge": "Three counts: possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin for the purpose of trafficking", "outcome": "Pleaded guilty", "sentence": "2 years in custody", "facts": "Chamberlain is 34, no relevant record. The drugs were valued at $100,000–116,000. The Crown asked for four years. The court imposed two years in custody. (paras. 3, 14, 15, 24, 33, 60)", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/16/03/2016BCSC0379.htm"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Shelden Durno Harris", "quote": "Mr. Harris is before the court for sentencing.", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Five counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, TFMPP, cannabis resin)", "quote": "He was charged by indictment with five counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to s. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Criminal Code ss. 109, 487.051(3) and 737 (ancillary orders); offences under CDSA s. 5(2)", "quote": "The convictions result in a mandatory order prohibiting possession of weapons under s. 109 of the Criminal Code.", "para": "85"}, "plea": {"value": "Convicted on all five counts (no guilty plea indicated)", "quote": "Mr. Harris was convicted on all five counts on June 23, 2017.", "para": "2"}, "sentence": {"value": "Global sentence of 36 months' imprisonment (concurrent counts), plus $1,000 victim surcharge and forfeiture of the Audi A8, and weapons prohibition and DNA order", "quote": "That means your total sentence will be 36 months in prison.", "para": "84"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "36", "quote": "That means your total sentence will be 36 months in prison.", "para": "84"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Four years' jail", "quote": "The Crown seeks a sentence of four years in jail.", "para": "7"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "Mr. Harris does not have a criminal record.", "para": "37"}, "offender_age": {"value": "33 years old at sentencing (about 30 at time of offences)", "quote": "Mr. Harris is 33 years old.", "para": "29"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Mid-level drug trafficking operation run from a home in Kelowna; large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, TFMPP and hashish found; motive was profit", "quote": "The police found 1,110.01 grams of cocaine, 210 grams of heroin, 306.79 grams of methamphetamine, and 464.12 grams of the drug referred to as TFMPP.", "para": "22"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Amount, variety and value of drugs (about $200,000); organized and sophisticated operation; drugs stored in a residential neighbourhood; profit motive", "quote": "First is the amount, variety, and value of the drugs.", "para": "45"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Young at time of offences; no criminal record; took steps to leave Kelowna and former associates; positive, stable present circumstances with family support and employment", "quote": "The mitigating factors then are that Mr. Harris was only 30 years old at the time of his crimes", "para": "50"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court refers to the pleasures of fatherhood and family as support for law-abiding lifestyle", "quote": "I hope that the pleasures of fatherhood and family will help you to maintain a law‑abiding lifestyle", "para": "98"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Kristi Leigh Chamberlain", "quote": "Kristi Leigh Chamberlain is before this Court today to be sentenced.", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin", "quote": "She has pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking three substances: cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.", "para": "3"}, "plea": {"value": "Guilty", "quote": "Ms. Chamberlain has entered guilty pleas to three counts on Indictment 39572-1.", "para": "3"}, "sentence": {"value": "Two years' incarceration, plus a 10-year s. 109 weapons prohibition, DNA order, and $600 victim fine surcharge payable forthwith (one day default incarceration)", "quote": "a fit and proper sentence in this case is one of two years' incarceration and that is the sentence I impose.", "para": "60"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "24", "quote": "a fit and proper sentence in this case is one of two years' incarceration and that is the sentence I impose.", "para": "60"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Four-year sentence of imprisonment, plus s. 109 order, DNA order and forfeiture order", "quote": "The Crown seeks a four-year sentence of imprisonment.", "para": "24"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record of any consequence", "quote": "The offender has no criminal record of any consequence.", "para": "33"}, "offender_age": {"value": "34", "quote": "She is 34 years old.", "para": "15"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Ongoing drug distribution enterprise run by the offender; methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine seized from car and Prince George apartment; $36,145 in cash; drugs valued between $100,000 and $116,000", "quote": "The total value of the drugs was estimated to be somewhere between $100,000 and $116,000.", "para": "14"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Serious Schedule 1 drugs; ongoing, profit-driven, carefully planned enterprise; offender ran the operation; callous approach; no sign of cessation", "quote": "It is also relevant that this was, for all intents and purposes, Ms. Chamberlain's business.", "para": "39"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Guilty plea; no criminal record; genuine rehabilitation and sustained abstinence; counselling; community contributions; drug debt not of her own making; genuine remorse", "quote": "There has been a guilty plea.", "para": "33"}}}}
{"id": "012", "offence": "Sexual interference (s. 151 of the Criminal Code of Canada) — intercourse with a 13-year-old child", "jurisdiction": "British Columbia", "years": "2019 / 2019", "story": ["Both cases were heard in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Both offenders are adults with no record, both convicted of sexual interference (s. 151) with a 13-year-old. Both pleaded not guilty and were convicted after trial.", "Cameron Marvin Alfred, 26 at the time, was a friend of the victim's two older brothers and in part a friend of her family. He had intercourse with 13-year-old S.V. two or three times between August and December 2017 and admitted he knew her age. The Crown asked for 3–4 years in custody. The court imposed 9 months in custody and 24 months of probation.", "Min Chen, 28, was a friend of the victim's mother; they lived in the same shelter. She had intercourse with 13-year-old S.H. in her room at the shelter while her two-year-old child slept nearby. She told S.H. not to tell anyone. The Crown asked for 1 year in custody and 1–2 years of probation. The court suspended the passing of sentence and imposed 2 years of probation.", "The court noted that Alfred is the father of a daughter and can be expected to gain a deeper understanding of what happened. In Chen's case the court took into account that she is a mother and the primary caregiver of two young children, and that custody would separate her from them."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Alfred", "citation": "2019 BCSC 1452", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2019-05-17", "charge": "Sexual interference (s. 151); sexual assault count (s. 271) conditionally stayed", "outcome": "Pleaded not guilty; found guilty after trial", "sentence": "9 months in custody, then 24 months of probation", "facts": "He was 26, the victim S.V. was 13; intercourse two or three times between August and December 2017, he knew her age (para. 3). He was a friend of her older brothers (para. 4). No record (para. 11). The Crown asked for 3–4 years (para. 13). Sentence: 9 months (para. 27). The court noted that as the father of a daughter he may come to understand more deeply what happened (para. 21).", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/19/14/2019BCSC1452.htm"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Chen", "citation": "2019 BCSC 1290", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2019-07-15", "charge": "Sexual interference (s. 151) with a person under 16", "outcome": "Pleaded not guilty; found guilty by a jury", "sentence": "Suspended sentence, 2 years of probation", "facts": "She was 28, the victim S.H. was 13; intercourse in her room at the shelter (paras. 11, 24). She was a friend of his mother (para. 24) and told him not to tell anyone (para. 24). No record (para. 25). The Crown asked for 1 year in custody and 1–2 years of probation (para. 12). Sentence: 2 years of probation (para. 48). The court took into account that she is the primary caregiver of her children (para. 30).", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/19/12/2019BCSC1290.htm"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Cameron Marvin Alfred", "quote": "Cameron Marvin Alfred", "para": ""}, "offence": {"value": "Sexual interference (s. 151); sexual assault count conditionally stayed", "quote": "for the offence of sexual interference", "para": "13"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "s. 151; s. 271 (conditionally stayed under Kienapple)", "quote": "contrary to s. 151 of the Criminal Code", "para": "2"}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty; found guilty after trial", "quote": "Mr. Alfred entered pleas of not guilty to each of the counts.", "para": "3"}, "sentence": {"value": "Nine months imprisonment, plus 24-month probation with conditions, and ancillary orders (SOIRA 20 years, DNA order, 10-year firearms prohibition, s. 161 order)", "quote": "My conclusion is that a nine-month sentence is fit and appropriate in the circumstances.", "para": "27"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "9", "quote": "My conclusion is that a nine-month sentence is fit and appropriate in the circumstances.", "para": "27"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Incarcerative sentence of three to four years", "quote": "The Crown seeks an incarcerative sentence in the range of three to four years", "para": "13"}, "victim": {"value": "S.V., the complainant", "quote": "The complainant, S.V. was 13 years of age at the time of the conduct in issue.", "para": "3"}, "victim_age": {"value": "13", "quote": "The complainant, S.V. was 13 years of age at the time of the conduct in issue.", "para": "3"}, "relationship": {"value": "Friend of the complainant's older brothers and to some extent a friend of her family", "quote": "was a friend of two older brothers of the complainant", "para": "4"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "Mr. Alfred has no criminal record.", "para": "11"}, "offender_age": {"value": "27", "quote": "Mr. Alfred is an Aboriginal man, 27 years of age.", "para": "7"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Offender aged 26 had sexual intercourse with 13-year-old complainant on two or three occasions between August and December 2017, and admitted he knew her age", "quote": "At the relevant time, the complainant was 13 years old and the defendant was 26 years old.", "para": "3"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Age gap of 13 years; offender knew victim's age; multiple occasions of intercourse; statutory aggravating factor of abusing a person under 18", "quote": "There were acts of sexual intercourse on multiple occasions.", "para": "20"}, "mitigating": {"value": "No criminal record; prosocial lifestyle with long-term employment; positive though struggling relationship; cooperation with police; willingness to engage in rehabilitation", "quote": "he has what could fairly be described as a prosocial lifestyle", "para": "19"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court notes offender's fatherhood of a daughter, expecting greater insight as a father", "quote": "as a father of a daughter it would be reasonable to expect that he may come to have a greater insight", "para": "21"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Min Chen", "quote": "a jury found Ms. Chen guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference of S.H.", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Sexual interference of a person under 16 (S.H., aged 13)", "quote": "Count 1 - sexual interference contrary to s. 151 of the Criminal Code", "para": "3"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "s. 151 (sexual interference)", "quote": "Count 1 - sexual interference contrary to s. 151 of the Criminal Code", "para": "3"}, "plea": {"value": "Not guilty; convicted by jury verdict", "quote": "a jury found Ms. Chen guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference of S.H.", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Suspended sentence (passing of sentence suspended) with two years of probation, plus ancillary orders (SOIRA for 20 years, DNA order, 10-year firearms prohibition)", "quote": "I suspend the passing of sentence and place you on probation for a period of two years.", "para": "48"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "0", "quote": "I suspend the passing of sentence and place you on probation for a period of two years.", "para": "48"}, "crown_position": {"value": "1 year in jail plus 1 to 2 years probation to follow", "quote": "seeks a sentence of 1 year in jail plus a period of probation of 1 to 2 years to follow", "para": "12"}, "victim": {"value": "S.H., a boy (13 years old)", "quote": "Ms. Chen, 28 had sexual intercourse with a 13 year old boy.", "para": "24"}, "victim_age": {"value": "13", "quote": "Ms. Chen, 28 had sexual intercourse with a 13 year old boy.", "para": "24"}, "relationship": {"value": "Acquaintance; Ms. Chen was a friend of S.H.'s mother, both staying in the same transition house", "quote": "Ms. Chen was friendly with S.H.'s mother. She breached that friendship by engaging in sex with her son.", "para": "24"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "Ms. Chen has no criminal record and is unlikely to be before these courts again.", "para": "25"}, "offender_age": {"value": "28 (at time of offence)", "quote": "Ms. Chen, 28 had sexual intercourse with a 13 year old boy.", "para": "24"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Sexual intercourse occurred in Ms. Chen's room at the transition house while her 2-year-old slept nearby; both were willing participants but S.H. could not legally consent due to age; court found she poses minimal risk of sexual reoffending; she suffered serious childhood abuse and has mental health issues; she has engaged in counselling since being charged.", "quote": "On the evening in question they had sexual intercourse in Ms. Chen's room.", "para": "11"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Serious offence involving intercourse with a very young boy; told S.H. not to tell anyone; breach of friendship with S.H.'s mother; S.H. was vulnerable due to family turmoil in a transition house; court rejected argument that S.H. was unaffected", "quote": "There is also evidence that Ms. Chen told S.H. not to tell anybody about what happened.", "para": "24"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Reduced moral culpability from troubled upbringing and childhood sexual abuse; mental health issues; minimal risk of reoffending; no criminal record; prosocial life; compliance on bail since 2015; extensive counselling and positive steps; stress from delay; immaturity", "quote": "In my view Ms. Chen's moral culpability is reduced as a result of her troubled upbringing and her mental health issues.", "para": "25"}, "gender_mentioned_by_court": {"value": "Court relied on Ms. Chen's role as mother and main caregiver of her two young children, and the effect of incarceration separating her from them, in deciding the sentence", "quote": "She is the main caregiver to the children.", "para": "30"}}}}
{"id": "011", "offence": "Importing a drug into Canada and possession of a drug for the purpose of trafficking", "jurisdiction": "British Columbia", "years": "2016 / 2017", "story": ["Both cases were heard by a British Columbia court. Juries found both guilty of importing a drug into Canada and of possessing it for the purpose of trafficking. Neither had a criminal record.", "Johnny Joshua Uy, 34, a US citizen, entered Canada for one day as a courier. On Christmas Day 2014 two bricks of cocaine, about two kilograms, were found at a boat landing site in Oak Bay. He denied guilt at trial. The Crown asked for 6 years. The court imposed 5 years on each of the two counts, concurrent, with credit for 675 days.", "Iveta Scheuer, 50, flew into Vancouver on 27 November 2016. About 2.6 kg of opium worth $40,000 to $70,000 was found in the walls of her two suitcases. She was paid $3,000 for the delivery and lied to border officers. The Crown asked for 3 years with credit for pre-sentence custody at 1.5 to 1. The court imposed 3 years on each of the two counts, concurrent, with credit for 584 days.", "The court noted that Scheuer has knee pain, speaks little English and has no ties in Canada, so jail is harder for her. The court did not treat the absence of a record as mitigating. It treated the profit motive as aggravating."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Uy", "citation": "2016 BCSC 823", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2016-03-18", "charge": "Importing cocaine into Canada; possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking", "outcome": "Found guilty by a jury", "sentence": "5 years on each count, concurrent, with credit for 675 days", "facts": "Two bricks of cocaine, about two kilograms, found in a backpack at a boat landing site in Oak Bay on Christmas Day 2014; Uy had entered Canada for one day as a courier. He is 34, no record. The Crown asked for 6 years. (paras. 1, 6, 10, 12, 32, 37)", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/16/08/2016BCSC0823.htm"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Scheuer", "citation": "2017 BCSC 2552", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2017-12-21", "charge": "Importing opium into Canada; possession of opium for the purpose of trafficking", "outcome": "Found guilty by a jury", "sentence": "3 years on each of the two counts, concurrent, with credit for 584 days; 511 days remaining", "facts": "About 2.6 kg of opium worth $40,000 to $70,000 hidden in two suitcases at Vancouver airport on 27 November 2016; she was paid $3,000. She is 50, no record. The Crown asked for 3 years with credit at 1.5 to 1. (paras. 1, 2, 3, 16, 23, 30, 31, 33)", "source": "https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/17/25/2017BCSC2552.htm"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "", "added": "2026-10-17", "evidence": {"male": {"offender_name": {"value": "Johnny Joshua Uy", "quote": "The accused, Johnny Joshua Uy, has been convicted by a jury of two counts", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Importing cocaine into Canada; possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking", "quote": "importing cocaine into Canada contrary to s. 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "No Criminal Code offence of conviction; Criminal Code ss. 487.051(3)(b) (DNA order) and 109(1)(c) (firearms prohibition) imposed as ancillary orders", "quote": "Pursuant to s. 487.051(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, I make an order authorizing the taking of a sample of your DNA", "para": "38"}, "plea": {"value": "Denied the offence; convicted by jury at trial", "quote": "Mr. Uy, as is his right, denied the offence at trial.", "para": "32"}, "sentence": {"value": "Five years on Count 1, and five years on Count 2 concurrent, less 675 days credit (450 days in custody at time and a half)", "quote": "Mr. Uy, I sentence you on Count 1 to five years, and on Count 2 to five years concurrent.", "para": "37"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "60", "quote": "Mr. Uy, I sentence you on Count 1 to five years", "para": "37"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Six years in jail plus ancillary orders (forfeiture, 10-year firearms prohibition, DNA sample)", "quote": "The Crown seeks a sentence of six years in jail", "para": "12"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record", "quote": "has no criminal record", "para": "32"}, "offender_age": {"value": "34", "quote": "He is 34 years of age and an American citizen.", "para": "10"}, "key_facts": {"value": "Cocaine in two bricks (about two kilograms) found in a backpack in a vessel landing at Cattle Point, Oak Bay, on Christmas Day 2014; Uy had entered Canada for one day to act as a courier", "quote": "Two bricks of cocaine were located in a blue lifejacket which was also wet.", "para": "6"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Sophisticated, planned enterprise; working with others; offence on Christmas Day to reduce detection; cocaine not native to Canada; quantity of about two kilograms", "quote": "His involvement took planning and aforethought.", "para": "28"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Previously good character with no criminal record (given limited weight); military service; gainful employment; good prospects for rehabilitation with family support", "quote": "with his family's support, do seem to be high", "para": "34"}}, "female": {"offender_name": {"value": "Iveta Scheuer", "quote": "Iveta Scheuer was convicted by a jury of importing approximately 2.6 kg of opium into Canada", "para": "1"}, "offence": {"value": "Importing opium into Canada and possession of opium for the purpose of trafficking", "quote": "convicted by a jury of importing approximately 2.6 kg of opium into Canada on November 27, 2016", "para": "1"}, "criminal_code_sections": {"value": "Offences under Controlled Drugs and Substances Act s. 6(1) (importing) and s. 5(2) (possession for trafficking); ancillary orders under Criminal Code s. 109(2), s. 487.04 and s. 487.051", "quote": "contrary to s. 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act", "para": "1"}, "plea": {"value": "Not stated; convicted by jury after trial", "quote": "Iveta Scheuer was convicted by a jury of importing approximately 2.6 kg of opium", "para": "1"}, "sentence": {"value": "Three years' imprisonment on each of two counts, concurrent (total three years), with credit at 1.5 to 1 for 389 days served (584 days credit); 511 days remaining to serve. Also a 10-year weapons prohibition and a DNA order; no victim surcharge.", "quote": "I sentence you to three years' imprisonment on each of the two counts, to be served concurrently.", "para": "33"}, "sentence_months": {"value": "36", "quote": "That means a total of three years.", "para": "33"}, "crown_position": {"value": "Three years jail with credit for time served at 1.5 to 1", "quote": "a sentence of three years jail with credit for time served calculated at a ratio of 1.5 to 1 is necessary", "para": "16"}, "criminal_record": {"value": "No criminal record (raised by Crown as a point; not treated as mitigating)", "quote": "her lack of criminal record is not really a mitigating factor", "para": "23"}, "offender_age": {"value": "50", "quote": "Ms. Scheuer is 50 years old.", "para": "2"}, "key_facts": {"value": "About 2.6 kg of opium worth $40,000 to $70,000 was concealed in two suitcases on arrival at Vancouver airport on November 27, 2016; offender was paid 3000 to deliver them; she was dishonest with border officers; she has been in custody about 13 months.", "quote": "approximately 2.6 kg of opium was found concealed in the walls of her two suitcases", "para": "3"}, "aggravating": {"value": "Profit as motive (paid 3000); significant quantity; Schedule I drug; sophisticated concealment (Crown positions, with profit motive accepted as aggravating)", "quote": "Profit was clearly her motive and, in my view, this is an aggravating factor.", "para": "30"}, "mitigating": {"value": "Knee pain and health issues, inability to speak fluent English, lack of personal connections in Canada, making prison more difficult; quantity less than some cases", "quote": "her knee pain, her inability to speak fluent English, and her lack of any personal connections in this community make serving time in prison particularly difficult for her", "para": "31"}}}}
{"id": "010", "offence": "teacher and a 16-year-old", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2012 / 2014", "story": ["He was a teacher, 53. For half a year he was in a relationship with a 16-year-old student: oral sex, digital penetration; no intercourse. He pleaded guilty. Sentence: 14 months in jail.", "She was a teacher. She met the boy when he was 13 and living in a group home as a Crown ward, then took him in as her foster son. When he was 16 the sex began — \"many times a month, for several years\" — until he ended it himself. She pleaded guilty. The court cited her illnesses and the fact that a term over 90 days would cost her a new job. Sentence: 90 days on weekends.", "Later a judge in British Columbia wrote in another case that her case was \"far more serious\" than his."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Biss", "citation": "2012 ONCJ 604", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2012-09-27", "charge": "sexual exploitation (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "14 months in jail", "facts": "Teacher, 53; grade 11 student, 16; about half a year. 14 months and 3 years of probation (paras. 1–2, 4, 6, 84).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2012/2012oncj604/2012oncj604.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. C.S.", "citation": "2014 ONCJ 371", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2014-07-25", "charge": "sexual exploitation (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "90 days on weekends", "facts": "Teacher and foster mother; the boy was a Crown ward; sex from age 16, for several years. 90 days on weekends, 3 years of probation, registry for 20 years (paras. 1–3, 9, 31, 34, 36, 38, 40).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2014/2014oncj371/2014oncj371.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "A judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia in R. v. Smith (2017 BCPC 265, para. 46): the circumstances of C.S. were \"far more serious\" than Biss's.", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcpc/doc/2017/2017bcpc265/2017bcpc265.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "009", "offence": "teacher and child, the same offence", "jurisdiction": "British Columbia", "years": "2018 / 2014", "story": ["Both were teachers in British Columbia. Both pleaded guilty to the same offence — sexual interference with a child. The term is the same for both: 2 years less a day.", "He was a music teacher, 53. His student was 15; there were five acts of intercourse. He showed remorse. The term is served in jail. The Court of Appeal upheld it.", "She was an elementary school teacher. Her former student was 11–13; 4–5 times, up to oral sex. It happened in 1998–2001. She showed remorse. The Crown asked for 3 years in jail. The term is served at home."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Dodd", "citation": "2018 BCCA 500", "court": "Court of Appeal for British Columbia; sentence — Provincial Court", "date": "2018-06-11", "charge": "sexual interference with a child (Criminal Code s. 151)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "2 years less a day in jail", "facts": "Music teacher, 53; grade 9 student, 15; five acts of intercourse, one at school. 2 years less a day in custody and 2 years of probation; appeal dismissed (paras. 1–4, 12, 38).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcca/doc/2018/2018bcca500/2018bcca500.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Ralph", "citation": "2014 BCSC 467", "court": "Supreme Court of British Columbia", "date": "2014-03-20", "charge": "sexual interference with a child under 14 (Criminal Code s. 151)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "2 years less a day at home", "facts": "Elementary school teacher; former student aged 11–13; 4–5 times, up to oral sex; 1998–2001. The Crown asked for 3 years in jail (paras. 1–5, 7, 108).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2014/2014bcsc467/2014bcsc467.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "The Court of Appeal upheld his jail term (2018 BCCA 500). No appeal decision in her case is on CanLII (checked 17.10.2026).", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcca/doc/2018/2018bcca500/2018bcca500.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "008", "offence": "knife in a family fight in front of children", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2010 / 2016", "story": ["He found out his wife had a lover. He smashed a radio and a fan, hit his wife on the head three times, grabbed a knife and made stabbing motions towards her. Their son begged: \"Don't kill mom.\" His wife took the knife away. No record, guilty plea. Sentence: 90 days in jail on weekends and 2 years of probation.", "She fought with her ex over her new boyfriend. She hit and scratched him, swung a metal pipe at him, then chased him with a kitchen knife while he was holding a baby, and stabbed him in the wrist. She screamed that she would kill him. Three small children were present. It was all recorded on his phone. No record, guilty plea. The Crown asked for 6–9 months in jail.", "Sentence: 1 day in jail, 6 months at home and 3 years of probation."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Galapate", "citation": "2010 ONCJ 538", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2010-11-05", "charge": "assault with a weapon, uttering a death threat, two assaults (wife)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "90 days in jail", "facts": "34, first conviction. Blows to the head, stabbing motions with a knife; the son was present. No knife wound is described in the decision. 90 days on weekends, 2 years of probation (paras. 1, 4–6, 11, 16, 37).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2010/2010oncj538/2010oncj538.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Ali", "citation": "2016 ONCJ 658", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2016-11-01", "charge": "assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, uttering a death threat (ex-partner)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "1 day in jail", "facts": "Pipe, knife, a stab to the wrist while he held a baby; children aged 4, 2 and 1; audio recording. No record. 1 day in jail + 6 months at home + 3 years of probation (paras. 4, 7, 18, 35, 38, 44, 86–87).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2016/2016oncj658/2016oncj658.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "none", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "007", "offence": "parent secretly took a child away", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2021 / 2013", "story": ["In 1987 he failed to return his son, aged one year and nine months, to the mother and took him to the United States. For 31 years the mother did not know whether her child was alive. The son grew up under a different name and believed his mother had died in a car crash. He pleaded guilty. He had spent three years in custody before sentencing — the court credited them and added one day in jail and three years of probation.", "In 1993 she took her daughter, aged one and a half, made forged documents and new names for both of them and crossed borders with her. For 18 years the father searched for his daughter. They were found in 2011 on an anonymous tip. Six weeks in custody before sentencing. She pleaded guilty.", "The court wrote that in such cases the parent almost always goes to actual jail. It gave her a sentence at home — 2 years less a day, minus the six weeks. The father and the daughter asked the court for mercy."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Mann", "citation": "2021 ONSC 7071", "court": "Ontario Superior Court of Justice", "date": "2021-10-26", "charge": "abduction of a child in contravention of a custody order (Criminal Code s. 282)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "3 years behind bars", "facts": "21-month-old son taken to the US in 1987; 31 years. Joint submission: 1 day after credit for three years in custody; the court added 3 years of probation (paras. 1–5, 9, 11).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2021/2021onsc7071/2021onsc7071.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. O’Byrne", "citation": "2013 ONCJ 171", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2013-04-02", "charge": "abduction of a child in contravention of a custody order (Criminal Code s. 282)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "2 years less a day at home", "facts": "Daughter aged one and a half taken in 1993; forged documents, new names; 18 years. The Crown asked for jail. The court: \"almost always — actual jail\", yet gave her a sentence at home (paras. 4–8, 31, 34, 56, 61, 66–67).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2013/2013oncj171/2013oncj171.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "none", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "006", "offence": "false report to police", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2010 / 2011", "story": ["He was in jail on another matter. He wrote that his ex-wife's new boyfriend was molesting his 15-year-old daughter. Child protection and police checked twice — the girl was in no danger. He had prior convictions, including ones involving his ex-wife. A jury convicted him. Sentence: 18 months in jail.", "She accused her ex-partner of sexual assault. Then she claimed he had come to her door in breach of a no-contact order and showed a photo. He was arrested and spent three days in custody. Forensic analysis showed the photo was a picture of a flat image. The Crown later withdrew the sexual assault charge but did not rule out that something had happened between them.", "She pleaded guilty and had no record. Sentence: conditional discharge — no criminal record, a year of probation, 75 hours of community service."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Delacruz", "citation": "2010 ONSC 3060", "court": "Ontario Superior Court of Justice, jury", "date": "2010-06-07", "charge": "public mischief (Criminal Code s. 140)", "outcome": "convicted by a jury", "sentence": "18 months in jail", "facts": "False accusation that his ex-wife's boyfriend was molesting his daughter; two checks by child protection and police. Prior record. 18 months and a year of probation (paras. 1–5, 13, 35).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2010/2010onsc3060/2010onsc3060.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. T.S.", "citation": "2011 ONCJ 233", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2011-04-28", "charge": "public mischief (Criminal Code s. 140)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "no criminal record", "facts": "A fabricated photo of a \"breach of the order\"; ex-partner arrested, 3 days in custody. No record. Conditional discharge, 12 months of probation, 75 hours of community service (paras. 1, 4, 7–10, 12, 40–41).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2011/2011oncj233/2011oncj233.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "none", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "005", "offence": "luring a child over the internet", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2026 / 2020", "story": ["He: 43, no record. For several weeks he chatted with \"Emma, 14\" — a police officer. Twice he arranged to meet and both times did not show up. There was no real child. Sentence: 18 months in jail. The court refused his request to serve the sentence at home because of his sick children.", "She was a school teacher. She wrote to three of her former students — real boys: sexual messages, nude photos and videos of herself. She offered to pick them up by car for sex. Sentence: 2 years less a day — at home, the first 10 months under house arrest.", "Two days after sentencing she applied for a paralegal licence. The Law Society of Ontario opposed it — its appeal was dismissed in 2023."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Logue", "citation": "2026 ONCJ 172", "court": "Ontario Court of Justice", "date": "2026-03-26", "charge": "child luring (Criminal Code s. 172.1), two counts", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "18 months in jail", "facts": "Chats with a police officer posing as a 14-year-old; twice cancelled the meeting. Conditional sentence refused; 18 months in jail and 18 months of probation (paras. 1, 5, 44, 86, 95–97, 100).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/oncj/doc/2026/2026oncj172/2026oncj172.html"}, "female": {"case": "Ontario College of Teachers v Colangelo", "citation": "2021 ONOCT 130", "court": "sentence — Ontario Court of Justice, 24.11.2020; decision — Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Teachers", "date": "2021-11-04", "charge": "luring a child for sexual purposes (Criminal Code s. 172.1), three students", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "2 years less a day at home", "facts": "Three students of her school; messages, nude photos and videos, an offer to pick them up for sex. First 10 months under house arrest, then a year of probation (Agreed Statement of Facts, paras. 3–5, 8–9).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onoct/doc/2021/2021onoct130/2021onoct130.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "She was found of good character for a paralegal licence: the Law Society Tribunal Appeal Division dismissed the Law Society's appeal (Colangelo v. Law Society of Ontario, 2023 ONLSTA 16).", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onlsta/doc/2023/2023onlsta16/2023onlsta16.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "004", "offence": "teacher and student, sex with a 16-year-old", "jurisdiction": "British Columbia", "years": "2017 / 2009", "story": ["Both were school teachers in British Columbia. Both students were 16. Both pleaded guilty.", "He: about six acts of intercourse over a year and a half. Sentence: 14 months in jail and 10 years on the sex offender registry.", "She initiated it. The sex took place in a room behind her classroom, and the same day she discussed it with two of the boy's friends. The second time, the boy refused. Sentence: 6 months. The court refused to put her on the sex offender registry, finding that \"grossly disproportionate\"."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Smith", "citation": "2017 BCPC 265", "court": "Provincial Court of British Columbia", "date": "2017-07-21", "charge": "sexual exploitation (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "14 months in jail", "facts": "Teacher, 37; grade 10 student, 16; about six acts of intercourse, 2013–2014. 2 years of probation, registry for 10 years (paras. 1, 9, 62, 87).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcpc/doc/2017/2017bcpc265/2017bcpc265.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. N.M.", "citation": "2009 BCPC 281", "court": "Provincial Court of British Columbia", "date": "2009-08-28", "charge": "sexual exploitation (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "6 months", "facts": "Teacher, 30; student aged 16; she initiated it; sex in the room behind the classroom; told two of his friends the same day. 2 years of probation; not placed on the registry (paras. 3, 7–9, 21, 23).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcpc/doc/2009/2009bcpc281/2009bcpc281.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "none", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "003", "offence": "teacher and student, sex with a teenager", "jurisdiction": "Saskatchewan", "years": "2010 / 2013", "story": ["He was a high-school teacher in Humboldt. His student was 16–17. He pleaded guilty. Sentence: 18 months in jail.", "She was a teacher, aged 33. Her student was 15; there were many sexual contacts. She pleaded not guilty, and the court saw no remorse. The Crown asked for jail and cited his case as an example.", "The court gave her the same 18 months — at home.", "One province, one offence, one court — the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Elder", "citation": "2010 SKQB 120", "court": "Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench", "date": "2010-03-26", "charge": "sexual exploitation of a young person (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "pleaded guilty", "sentence": "18 months in jail", "facts": "Teacher; a grade 11–12 student, 1996–1998. 18 months in jail and 12 months of probation (paras. 1, 3; sentence — 2013 SKQB 332, paras. 7, 19).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/sk/skqb/doc/2010/2010skqb120/2010skqb120.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. McLachlan", "citation": "2013 SKQB 332", "court": "Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, jury", "date": "2013-04-25", "charge": "sexual exploitation of a young person (Criminal Code s. 153)", "outcome": "convicted by a jury", "sentence": "18 months at home", "facts": "Teacher, 33; student aged 15; \"numerous\" sexual contacts. No remorse. The Crown asked for up to 2 years in jail, citing Elder (paras. 1, 7, 21).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/sk/skqb/doc/2013/2013skqb332/2013skqb332.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "The jury first acquitted her; the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal set the acquittal aside (2012 SKCA 74). After the new sentence the Crown appealed the term at home; the Court of Appeal upheld it (2014 SKCA 68).", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/sk/skca/doc/2014/2014skca68/2014skca68.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "002", "offence": "conspiracy to murder — one case, two accused", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2010", "story": ["One conspiracy: hire a hitman and kill his wife. One jury. The same two offences for both. She was the one who looked for the killer; the \"hitman\" turned out to be a police officer.", "The Crown asked for the same sentence for both.", "Sentence: 6 years for him, 3.5 years for her."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Terpstra", "citation": "2011 ONCA 500", "court": "Ontario Superior Court of Justice, jury, 28.06.2010; appeal — Court of Appeal for Ontario", "date": "2011-07-05", "charge": "counselling murder and conspiracy to murder", "outcome": "convicted", "sentence": "6 years", "facts": "The same two offences, the same plan and the same jury as hers. The intended victim was his wife (para. 1).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2011/2011onca500/2011onca500.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Terpstra (co-accused Serrena Benninger)", "citation": "2011 ONCA 500, para. 2", "court": "Ontario Superior Court of Justice, jury, 28.06.2010", "date": "2010-06-28", "charge": "counselling murder and conspiracy to murder", "outcome": "convicted", "sentence": "3.5 years", "facts": "His girlfriend. Convicted by the same jury of the same two offences; she was the one who looked for the killer (paras. 1, 2).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2011/2011onca500/2011onca500.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "The Court of Appeal left the difference in place: he was the \"prime mover\", the victim was his wife, and he \"used\" his girlfriend (paras. 3–4).", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2011/2011onca500/2011onca500.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}
{"id": "001", "offence": "hiring a \"hitman\" (an undercover police officer) to kill a spouse", "jurisdiction": "Ontario", "years": "2010 / 2014", "story": ["Each of them wanted their spouse dead and hired a hitman to do it. Both times the \"hitman\" was an undercover police officer. Both cases are from Ontario.", "He put up the money to have his wife killed. The motive, according to the court, was to avoid paying in the divorce. Sentence: 6 years.", "She gave the \"hitman\" a down payment, photos and her husband's daily routine, and told him to shoot her husband. The officer gave her a phone number so she could change her mind; at the second meeting she confirmed the order. The Crown itself asked for 3–4 years for her. Sentence: 3.5 years."], "male": {"case": "R. v. Terpstra", "citation": "2011 ONCA 500", "court": "Court of Appeal for Ontario; sentence imposed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, jury, 28.06.2010", "date": "2011-07-05", "charge": "counselling murder and conspiracy to murder his wife", "outcome": "convicted", "sentence": "6 years", "facts": "A joint plan to hire a hitman; the hitman was an undercover police officer. Motive: avoid paying in the divorce; he supplied the money (paras. 1, 4).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2011/2011onca500/2011onca500.html"}, "female": {"case": "R. v. Tokhi", "citation": "2014 ONSC 3142", "court": "Ontario Superior Court of Justice, judge alone; conviction — 2014 ONSC 1220", "date": "2014-06-10", "charge": "counselling the murder of her husband", "outcome": "convicted", "sentence": "3.5 years", "facts": "Hired a hitman who was an undercover police officer; down payment, photos, her husband's routine, told him to shoot; confirmed the order at the second meeting. The Crown asked for 3–4 years (paras. 2, 3, 7).", "source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2014/2014onsc3142/2014onsc3142.html", "conviction": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2014/2014onsc1220/2014onsc1220.html"}, "law": ["Criminal Code s. 718.2(b)", "Charter s. 15", "Charter s. 28"], "after": "He appealed his sentence; the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld the 6 years. No appeal decision in her case is on CanLII (checked 17.10.2026).", "after_source": "https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2011/2011onca500/2011onca500.html", "added": "2026-10-17"}