Annual Report page 28


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not have their own device it is also possible to borrow a number of these devices just like a book and carry them off to use in court.

Pivotal to the administration of electronic information is the office intranet which gives staff quick and easy access to a wide range of information, including internal office communication. The intranet has quickly established itself as the main communication tool of the Office, and the CLRC is constantly engaged in improving ways to access key resources, as well as adding new material and providing link to new external resources. The CLRC pages on the Intranet provide access to our online subscriptions and prosecutors can search the internal catalogue for relevant sentencing transcripts, judgments and submissions.

CASE REPORTS

The following cases are included in the report to illustrate the breadth of work of the Office or because they involve significant issues. Cases specific to particular areas of work are also reported elsewhere in this report.

R V CHATFIELD

In the early hours of the morning, the female victim was walking north along Northbourne Avenue from the direction of Civic while she was speaking to her male friend on her mobile phone. While she was still on her phone, the victim was walking past the ABC Radio Station building on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Wakefield Avenue in Dickson, when she turned around and saw Chatfield walking about 100 metres behind her. A few moments later she noticed he was only about 10 metres behind her, and that he was running towards her. She stepped aside hoping that he would run past her, but he grabbed hold of her from behind and grabbed her hair. The victim screamed into the phone for help. Chatfield told the victim that he had a knife and he placed the knife against her neck. He dragged her off and sexually assaulted her.

Shortly before he was due to stand trial, Chatfield pleaded guilty to a number of serious offences including sexual assault in the third degree. The sentencing judge sentenced Chatfield, to a total head sentence of five years and six months, with a non-parole period of 4 years.

The Director appealed against the inadequacy of the sentence. Amongst other matters, the Director pointed to the atrocious record of the offender, which included a number of previous convictions for aggravated rape.
The Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the Director’s appeal, and re-sentenced Chatfield to seven years nine months imprisonment with a six year non parole period.

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ANNUAL REPORT  2011-12  DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS                                                                                    28

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