R. v. McLean, Legge, Saunders and Russell, (1980) 26 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 158 (NFPC)

• Judge: Reid, P.C.J.
• Court: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court (Canada)
• Case Date: May 02, 1980
• Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citations: (1980), 26 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 158 (NFPC)

R. v. McLean (1980), 26 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 158 (NFPC);

    72 A.P.R. 158

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. McLean, Legge, Saunders & Russell

Indexed As: R. v. McLean, Legge, Saunders and Russell

Newfoundland Provincial Court

Reid, P.C.J.

May 2, 1980.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Criminal Law - Topic 5833

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Deterrence - The Newfoundland Provincial Court stated that deterrence was the paramount consideration in sentences for drug related offences - See paragraph 4.

Criminal Law - Topic 5837

Sentencing - Considerations on imposing sentence - Mitigating circumstances - The Newfoundland Provincial Court stated that a guilty plea was not a mitigating circumstance in a situation where the Crown's evidence against the accused was overwhelming - See paragraph 28.

Criminal Law - Topic 5850

Sentence - Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic - 11 pounds of liquid cannabis resin - 21 year old female employed full time at an annual salary of $14,000 - Superficial and indirect involvement in offence - No criminal record - The Newfoundland Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 1 day in prison and fined her $2,000 or in default 3 additional months in prison and imposed a probation period of 3 years - See paragraph 37.

Criminal Law - Topic 5850

Sentence - Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic - 11 pounds of liquid cannabis resin - 22 year old single male with sporadic employment record - Involved in 2 conspiracies - Criminal record of minor unrelated offence - Profit motive - The Newfoundland Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 6 years imprisonment - See paragraph 35.

Criminal Law - Topic 5850

Sentence - Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic - 11 pounds of liquid cannabis resin - 24 year old single male employed full time as a labourer - Criminal record of related offences - Profit motive - The Newfoundland Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 6 years imprisonment - See paragraph 34.

Criminal Law - Topic 5850

Sentence - Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic - 11 pounds of liquid cannabis resin - 23 year old single male with seasonal employment record - Criminal record of related offence - Profit motive - The Newfoundland Provincial Court sentenced the accused to 6 years imprisonment - See paragraph 34.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Morrissette (1971), 1 C.C.C.(2d) 307, refd to. [paras. 2 and 26].

R. v. Gorman (1971), 4 C.C.C.(2d) 330, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Basha et al. (1980), 23 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 286; 61 A.P.R. 286, appld. [paras. 2, 4, 22 and 28].

R. v. Carriere (1977), 12 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 189; 25 A.P.R. 189, refd to. [para. 4].

R. v. Sparkes (1978), 16 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 363; 42 A.P.R. 363, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Earle (1976), 8 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 390; 8 A.P.R. 390, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Pierce (1978), 16 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 50; 42 A.P.R. 50, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Anstey (1978), 15 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 38; 38 A.P.R. 38, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Stoyles (1977), 13 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 352; 29 A.P.R. 352, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Young (1977), 13 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 173; 29 A.P.R. 173, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Courish (1978), 14 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 92; 33 A.P.R. 92, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Hickey (1978), 14 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 271; 33 A.P.R. 271, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. O'Neill (1973), 13 C.C.C.(2d) 276, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Robert (1971), 3 C.C.C.(2d) 149, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Morphy, 21 C.C.C. 62, refd to. [para. 26].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 423(1)(b) [para. 7].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Ruby on Sentencing (1976) [para. 2].

Counsel:

David C. Day, Q.C., and Paul Althouse, for the Crown;

Rhodie Mercer, for Mclean, Saunders & Russell;

Edward Hearn, for Legge.

This case was heard by REID, P.C.J., of the Newfoundland Provincial Court.

On May 2, 1980, REID, P.C.J., delivered the following judgment: