Background

The ALS represented William Bugmy in an important High Court decision on Aboriginality, disadvantage and sentencing. This was the first time that the impact of Aboriginality on sentencing had been considered in 30 years.

Bugmy had pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm. He was a 29-year-old man who had experienced significant domestic violence, substance abuse, head injury and mental health issues including suicide attempts. He was illiterate and had spent most of his life in prison.