R v Colquhoun [2026] NSWDC 300

R v Colquhoun [2026] NSWDC 300 concerns Margaret Colquhoun’s application for release pending intended appeals against her fraud conviction and sentence of two years and four months’ imprisonment, with a one-year-and-two-month non-parole period. Abadee DCJ considered whether special or exceptional circumstances existed under the Bail Act 2013 (NSW), despite final appeal grounds not yet being settled, and whether release posed unacceptable risks. The Court found that reasonably arguable sentence grounds, likely appellate delay consuming a substantial part of the non-parole period, and Colquhoun’s favourable bail compliance and risk profile cumulatively justified release. Conditional bail was granted, including a requirement to prosecute the appeal expeditiously.