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{\revtim\yr2007\mo10\dy3\hr16\min23}{\version5}{\edmins60}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords867}{\nofchars4947}{\nofcharsws5803}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw11904\paperh16834\margl1440\margr1440\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\subfontbysize\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot16463873 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2 \pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE COOK ISLANDS \par HELD AT AUCKLAND}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 \par NEW ZEALAND \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 C.A.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 NO.14/}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 95 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 BETWEEN}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 PAIO PAIO \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 AND}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 POLICE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par Coram: Sir Duncan McMullin (Presiding) \par Hillyer, JA \par McHugh, JA \par \par Counsel: BH Giles, QC for Appellant \par PM Smith for Respondent \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 Hearing: 25 & 26 September 1996 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 Date of Judgment}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 29th October 1996 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 JU}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 D}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 G}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 MENT OF THE COURT DELIVERED }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 BY HILLYER, JA}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7873296\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 This is an appeal against sentence. The Appellant was sentenced to eight months imprisonment by the High Court at Rarotonga on 6 December 1995. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 He}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 had pleaded guilty in the High Court at Aitutaki to a breach of s 76(d) of the Public Monies and Stores Act 1987. \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 The Appellant was C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 omptroller of Customs for Aitutaki. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 On 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 June 1995 he rec}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 eived the sum of $2,900 from Pae}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 rau Kare in payment of import duty on a cargo of personal property }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 Mr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare had imported from New Zealand. The Appellant did not give }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 Mr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare a proper customs receipt, nor did he deliver a customs clearance. He simply gave}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 a receipt on plain paper. He did not pay the money into the Cook Islands' Government account and used it for his own purposes. His failure to give the proper receipt and clearance would seem to indicate that he decided to keep the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9730361 money when it was paid to him. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 On or about 19 June 1995 the Appellant told }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 Mr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare what he had done and asked }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648 r}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare to lend him the $2,900. Counsel for the Appellant and for the Respondent told us that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 Mr Kare refused. Presum}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 ably to obtain release of his goods }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 Mr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare on 23 June 1995 paid a further sum of $2,154.75 and }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 obtained a proper receipt. On }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 6}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 July 1995 the Appellant was interviewed by the Police. Counsel said this was because he was using large denomination notes to settle debts. Whatever the reason}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14688230 he apparently told the Police h}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 e had taken the $2,900. On 12 July he was suspended from Customs. On 27 September he repaid }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 Mr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Kare the sum of $1,000 and on 3 October 1995}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 the further sum}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 of $1,900. On 7 November 1995 a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 substituted}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid11232648 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 information was laid against the Appellant. We were not told what it was substituted for or why it was substituted, but we note it was four months after the Appellant was interviewed by the Police. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 We think it proper to say that the record of proceedings we were given was not particularly helpful.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 Counsel agreed that the Summa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 ry of Facts annexed to the record was inaccurate and in the light of information we were given during the hearing of the case was quite mis}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 leading. We had to adjourn the c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 ase overnight to enable counsel to ascertain the position. There was no record of the Judge's Remarks on Sentence so we did not have the benefit of his reasons for imposing the sentence of 8 months imprisonment. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 On behalf of the Appellant }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14688230 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 G}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 iles, who was appearing pro bono}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 , made careful and persuasive submissions. He referred to the maximum penalty for the offence of 12 months imprisonment, the Appellant's plea}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 of guilty, the fact the Appellant was a first offe nder, his being a married man with three children and the consequences for them. He pointed out that the Appellant had been dismissed from his employment with the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 ustoms Department, his loss of s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 uperannuation, the fact that full restitution has been made and produced references from members of the local community. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13966034\charrsid11232648 He further referred}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 to the necessity for consistency in sentencing and in particular referred to the decision of this Court in }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861798\charrsid5001614 Bishop v The Crown}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8861798\charrsid11232648 CA No 7/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 95}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 which had some similarities to this case. In that case this Court reduced a sentence of four years imprisonment to one of community service for a period of 12 months. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 The basic principle on which a Court of Appeal must operate in an appeal against sentence is that it should not interfere wit h the sentence unless the Judge in the court below has proceeded on a wrong basis or the sentence is }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 manifestly excessive. This is }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 particularly so where the Court is considering the decision of a judge in a local community. That judge is better able to dec ide what a proper sentence would be in that community than three Judges of the Court of Appeal who do not have the knowledge of circumstances or the background of a judge who is familiar with the area. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 In the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid5001614 Bishop}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 case, as in this case, there was no mis understanding of the law or the facts. The question was simply whether the sentence was manifestly excessive. We came to the conclusion that four years imprisonment was manifestly excessive in the circumstances of that case and in the light of the other c ases to which we were referred. Indeed counsel for the Crown, unlike in this case, accepted that the penalty in the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid5001614 Bishop}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5001614 case was inappropriate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5001614\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 In this case we have given anxious consideration to this question and have come to the conclusion that althoug h the sentence of eight months imprisonment was severe it was not manifestly excessive. The Appellant was in a position of trust. He was the Senior Officer in the Customs Department in a small community and he deliberately misappropriated money with which he had been entrusted. He had worked his way up to that position over a number of years and we have no doubt that, as set out in some of the references produced, he was well known in and respected by the community. Such an abuse of trust requires a penalt y that will demonstrate to the community that}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 the Courts regard such matters very seriously and in the popular phrase he should not be allowed to }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid1319632 "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid1319632 get away with it}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11232648\charrsid1319632 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid1319632 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 We have considered the facts in }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid1319632 Bishop's }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 case and the other cases to which we referred in t hat case and in this case. We are not prepared to interfere with the decision of the Judge in the court below. The appeal is dismissed. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 In the circumstances, in particular the Appellant's financial circumstances, there will be no order as to costs. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Decision \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11799583\charrsid11232648 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 Appeal dismissed. No order as to costs. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9730361 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 By the Court}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1319632\charrsid11232648 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11232648 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9328717\charrsid11232648 PG Hillyer, JA \par }}