In the case of R v Newman [2024] QCA 224, Samantha Jane Newman sought leave to appeal against her sentence for multiple drug-related offenses, including one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs and possessing various controlled substances. The Supreme Court of Queensland, presided by Justices Flanagan, Boddice, and Bradley, denied the application on November 15, 2024. Newman, who operated a sophisticated drug trafficking business largely through social media platforms like Snapchat, was sentenced to seven years in prison for the trafficking charge. Her application argued that the sentence was "manifestly excessive," citing mitigating factors such as her early guilty plea, lack of prior criminal history, and psychological issues. However, the Court found that the severity and commercial nature of her offenses justified the sentence, noting the importance of deterrence and denunciation in cases involving substantial public harm. The Court concluded that the sentence was neither unreasonable nor unjust, aligning with precedent cases, and thus refused the appeal.
Full text: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/150638