In R v Richards [2024] QCA 97, Christopher Denis Richards applied for an extension of time to appeal against his conviction and sentence. On February 12, 2020, Richards had pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material and three related summary charges. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years.
Richards sought to appeal his conviction on the grounds that his guilty plea was "falsely" entered, claiming his partner had downloaded the illicit material. However, the Court found no evidence supporting this claim and determined that Richards had entered his plea in plain and unambiguous terms. The Court also noted Richards' own admissions to possessing and viewing the material. Additionally, Richards' request to introduce further evidence was denied.
The judges concluded that Richards' appeal had no prospects of success. Thus, the applications for an extension of time to appeal against the conviction and for leave to appeal against the sentence were both refused.
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