Joshua Rae to be sentenced for shooting a man in the face
Joshua Rae, 31, who shot a man in the face with a sawn-off shotgun in December, 2017 during a home invasion in Hamilton, will be sentenced later this month at Newcastle District Court.
Newcastle
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A court heard the suicide of both parents at a young age saw the life of Joshua Rae spiral out of control, as he turned to a life of drugs and alcohol.
Rae, 31, who shot a man in the face with a sawn-off shotgun in December, 2017 during a home invasion in Hamilton, was due to be sentenced in Newcastle District Court on Wednesday, but it was held over until October 22.
Victim Philip Stennett spent weeks in an intensive care unit in Newcastle after half of his jaw, tongue and the right side of his face were blasted off when Rae pulled the trigger.
Rae pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, possessing a shortened firearm without authority, and being involved in a police pursuit.
The court heard he was one of three men who stormed Mr Stennet’s Hamilton unit, including co-accused, Dion Welsh, who has pleaded guilty to entering Mr Stennett's unit with intent to intimidate and an unidentified man.
Rae’s lawyer, Greg Schipp, told the court his clients increased use of ice over a significant time caused paranoia and he was in the habit of taking a loaded weapon wherever he went.
“He was under the influence of drugs and the reason for him being at Mr Stennett’s home was to purchase drugs, with no intention to fire the weapon,” Mr Schipp said.
The court also heard a melee had occurred, where Welsh was slashed by the victim on the arm with a samurai sword before Rae had opened fire.
“He was not the first person to go into premises,” Mr Schipp said.
“Rae asked for him to put it (sword) down and he didn’t and he reacted. It wasn’t a planned event and occurred on the spur of the moment.
Mr Schipp referred to a psychologist report and said his client had a reasonable life growing up until the suicide death of both of his parents.
“His father suffered from mental disorder which was chronic depression and bipolar disorder and Mr Rae had a reasonable upbringing and was a good student until year seven, when his father committed suicide,” Mr Schipp said.
“That started difficulties for the rest of his school life and the rest of life.
“His mother suffered an injury during employment which caused difficulties in paying the mortgage and she contracted cancer which was discovered late and was terminal and she took her life.”
Rae started crying in the bay as his lawyer detailed a life of heavy drug use and alcohol abuse after the passing of both his parents.
“It’s hard to see how a young person could avoid being involved in drug use, drug culture and crimes associated with that,” Mr Schipp added.
“He was drinking alcohol heavily daily in his late teens and using ice at 19, cocaine and heroin from his 20s, which set him up for life and a pattern he fell into at a young age.
“He did make one attempt at rehabilitation, but it was short lived and he dropped out.”
Mr Schipp appealed to Magistrate Tim Gartlemann SC for a shorter parole period for his client and said Rae knew he was set to spend a significant time in jail and wanted to make the most of it by obtaining a degree in engineering.
Crown prosecutor John Stanhope said the shotgun Rae was carrying was ‘particularly sinister’ and his conduct was very serious.
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He told the court, it was not clear what the motive in the attack had been and it was not proven he went there to get drugs.
“The question is why he would take into the unit a loaded firearm?” Mr Stanhope said.
“Your honour should approach this with a great deal of skepticism that he took gun for protection.
“Also his chances of rehabilitation are somewhat guarded and some suspended sentences have had no results in the past.”
Co-accused Welsh has his matter done for Friday in Newcastle’s District Court. Rae’s is set to be sentenced on October 22.