R. v. WONG KWEI LAU

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Coram: Hon. Yang C.J. & Ching J.A.

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J U D G M E N T

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Ching JA (delivering the judgment of the Court):

1. This is an application for leave to appeal against the sentence of 5½ years imposed on the applicant on the 22nd of March this year on a conviction for trafficking in dangerous drugs. The amount involved was 73.43 grammes of a mixture containing 31.02 grammes of salts of esters of morphine, the retail value of which was agreed to be just over $29,000.

2. On the admitted facts, the applicant was clearly trafficking. The drug convictions go back as far as 1977 and, indeed, at the time of her conviction of this offence, she was serving a total sentence of 21 months for two other charges of possession imposed in September 94.

3. The judge below used the starting point of 6½ years. The applicant was convicted after trial and the judge therefore could make no discount for a plea of guilty. On the other hand, a reduction of one year was made, having regard to the fact that the sentence was necessarily consecutive to the 21-month and being served and having regard to the totality principle the sentence, in the circumstances, was wholly justified and nothing has been said to show that it was wrong. This is yet another case of a hopeless appeal which should never have been brought. The appeal is, therefore, dismissed with three months loss of time.

Representation:

Mr John Reading, S.A.C.P., for Crown/Respondent

Applicant in person