In R v Singh [2024] QCA 50, the case centred on Gurjit Singh, an Uber driver who was convicted on three counts of sexual assault against an 18-year-old female complainant who was intoxicated at the time of the offenses. The District Court at Brisbane sentenced Singh on 5 December 2023 to concurrent terms of imprisonment for the three counts, totalling 10 months, but with a suspension after four months and an operational period of 15 months. In addition, Singh was ordered to pay $5,000 compensation to the complainant. Singh appealed the sentence, arguing it was manifestly excessive, particularly criticizing the requirement for him to serve time in actual custody. The Court of Appeal, led by Justices Morrison, Dalton, and Brown, deliberated on the appeal, considering Singh's lack of prior convictions, remorsefulness, and the circumstances of the offending. The appeal, contested on the basis that the sentence was excessively harsh given Singh's mitigating factors and the nature of the offense, was ultimately refused. The court adjusted the operational period of the sentence to 15 months, but maintained the decision for Singh to serve actual custody.
R v Singh [2024] QCA 50
Updated: Apr 16, 2024