How to impose a sentence properly
Friday, February 15, 2013
Justinian in Court in the Act, Far North Queensland, Judge Harrison, Sentencing

Judge hurls abuse at accused in sentencing proceedings ... The Far North Queensland sentencing model 

Harrison DCJ: a fine sprayJUDGE Brian Harrison at the Qld Dizzo sitting in Innisfail showed the nation his rigorous sentencing style. 

It involved heaping a pile of abuse on the wretch before him  - in this case Michael Tewa Tawhi Tamou. 

"Stand up please Mr Tamou," Harrison ordered. 

He then proceeded to call the hapless soul a ... 

"Clown ... idiot ... grub ... boofhead ... goose ... bludger ... angry idiot ... and brainless." 

Tamou has breached a community service order, committed numous offences and been before the courts on multiple occasions. 

Judge Harrison was fed-up to the back teeth: 

"You are going to remain on parole now for about 10 months, and it's up you you. 

I don't hold out any confidence. Someone is going to say something to you one day, someone is going to cut you off in a car, or someone is going to say 'boo' to you and out will come the fist, about three seconds before the brain, because that's the way you operate. And I don't think you are ever going to change." 

What would the court of appeal say about HH's ripe lingo? 

Probably it would think that he was spot-on. 

See for yourself. 

Transcript of sentencing remarks, District Court, Innisfail  

Article originally appeared on Justinian: Australian legal magazine. News on lawyers and the law (https://justinian.com.au/).
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