R. v. Action Sales and Rentals Ltd., (1984) 52 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181 (NFPC)

• Judge: Luther, P.C.J.
• Court: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court (Canada)
• Case Date: October 31, 1984
• Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citations: (1984), 52 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181 (NFPC)

R. v. Action Sales (1984), 52 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181 (NFPC);

    153 A.P.R. 181

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Action Sales and Rentals Ltd.

(1984 Nos. 1374 - 1382)

Indexed As: R. v. Action Sales and Rentals Ltd.

Newfoundland Provincial Court

District of Corner Brook

Luther, P.C.J.

October 31, 1984.

Summary:

The accused company pleaded guilty to nine charges of distributing obscene material contrary to s. 159(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Newfoundland Provincial Court sentenced the accused to a $500 fine on each count.

Criminal Law - Topic 5833

Sentencing - Considerations - Deterrence - The Newfoundland Provincial Court stressed deterrence in sentencing a video rental company for distributing obscene material by renting skin flicks.

Criminal Law - Topic 5834

Sentencing - Considerations - Circumstances tending to increase sentence - Profit motive - The Newfoundland Provincial Court stressed the profit motive of a video rental company in sentencing the company for distributing obscene material by renting skin flicks.

Criminal Law - Topic 5874

Sentence - Distribution of obscene matter - Renting skin flicks - Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, s. 159(1)(a) - A video rental company pleaded guilty to nine counts of distributing obscene material by the rental of obscene movies - The Newfoundland Provincial Court fined the company $500 on each count for a total of $4500 plus ordered the tapes forfeited - The court stressed the profit motive of the accused and the deterrent factor of sentencing.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Rankine (1983), 32 C.R.(3d) 154, consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Video Movieshop (1982), 36 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 321; 101 A.P.R. 321, consd. [para. 13].

R. v. Brodie, [1962] S.C.R. 681; 132 C.C.C. 161; 37 C.R. 120; 32 D.L.R.(2d) 507, consd. [para. 18].

R. v. Prairie Schooner News Ltd., 1 C.C.C.(2d) 251, consd. [para. 27].

R. v. Odeon Morton Theatres Ltd., 16 C.C.C.(2d) 185, consd. [para. 29].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 159(1)(a).

Counsel:

Michael Roche, for the Crown;

Allan Seaborn, for the accused.

This case was heard before Luther, P.C.J., of the Newfoundland Provincial Court, District of Corner Brook, who delivered the following judgment on October 31, 1984: