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}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 CA. 4/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 2000 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 BETWEEN}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 TOMMY APERA \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 AND \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 THE CROWN \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Coram:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13644947\charrsid6504640 Greig CJ}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2231244 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Henry J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Hingston J \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16016131\charrsid6504640 Mr.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 Mitchell for Appellant \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16016131\charrsid6504640 Mr.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 Elikana for Respondent \par Dates of Hearing: 14, 15}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 November 2001}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Date of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 Decision}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 : 15 November 2001 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 Delivered by Henry}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16016131\charrsid6504640 J}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Tommy Apera was found guilty following a trial in t he High Court before a Judge alone on one count of indecent assault of a girl under 12 years of age, and on 25 May 2000 he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. He now appeals that conviction.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 The sole ground of appeal propounded is that the prosecution had not proved to the necessary standard that the complainant was at the time of the alleged offending under the age of 12 years. Unfortunately a record of the evidence given at trial is not now available, the tape recordings having been damaged as a result of a flood, thereby preventing transcription}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1993768\charrsid6504640 . \par \par C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 ounsel however have been able to provide the Court with an adequate summary of the relevant evidence compiled from the notes and recollections of counsel involved at the trial. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid84955\charrsid6504640 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Mitchell for the Appellant responsibly accepts that the Court can proceed to determine the appeal on that basis. The alternative of course would have been to allow the appeal and but to order a new trial. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 At the conclusion of the prosecution case, counsel for the appellant sought an acquittal on the ground that a necessary element of the charge, namely the age of the complainant had not been properly established. The then Chief Justice rejected the submission and following evidence from the appellant and the co-accused entered the conviction now under challenge.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4156898\charrsid6504640 \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12937926\charrsid6504640 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Mitchell rightly }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6504640 emphasis}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 ed}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 the importance of this element and the corresponding need for proper proof. We therefore turn to the trial process. The Chief Justice did not allow the complainant to be sworn but satisfied himself that she was f}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544657\charrsid6504640 i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 t to give evidence and obtained from her a promise to tell the truth. That procedure is appropriate for a witness under the age of 12 years. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5454280\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 The complainant stated that she was 8 years of age and gave the name of her school, a primary school, and her class. Her grandmother also gave evidence, stating that the girl was then 8 years old and under cross examination stated that she the grandmother had looked after the girl since sh e was a baby. In giving his decision dismissing the "no case" application, the Chief Justice referred to the evidence and to the girl's }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 demeano}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6504640 u}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 when giving evidence, and in particular to details of her physical appearance. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 In this Court }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11874691\charrsid6504640 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Mitchell submit ted that the evidence was insufficient. He relied in particular on }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 The Queen v Forest and Forest}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 [1970] NZLR }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 545}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8064520\charrsid6504640 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 and}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 the reference in that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 judgment}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 to the desirability of adducing the best evidence when age is an issue. He }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6504640 emphasis}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 ed}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 that there was no evidence from the mother and the absence of production of a birth certificate. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 We do not see }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Forest}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 as of much assistance in the present case. It was concerned with the lack of evidence to identify the person in a birth certificate with the complainant. As President North said at p. 547, when referring to the earlier case of }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Smith v Police}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12655530\charrsid6504640 [1969]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12981874 NZLR 856}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 - \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3167406 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 "In some circumstances the evidence of a person as to his own age, even if founded on what he had been told by his parents and others, may be accepted as an exception to the hearsay rule. In o}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 ur}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 opinion every case must be dealt with on its own facts." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5255657 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 The statements of general principle in the various texts as to the need for and the means of proof of age are no more than that. In each case it would be a question of the adequacy of the proof in the circumstances of the case. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par Mr.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Mitchell also }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 criticized}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 the use made by the Chief Justice of his own observations of the complainant. But it is }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 clear}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 and indeed common sense, that such an observation may be of assistance to the tribunal of fact. In }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Smith}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 Justice McCarthy so held, following English authority to the same effect. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3167406\charrsid6504640 \par Unlike }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1464390\charrsid6504640 F}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 orest,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 exactitude in establishing age was not here critical. There the complainant was on her own evidence some 15 years an d 4 months of age at the time of the offending. The Crown had to establish she was under the age of 16 years. Here by way of contrast the only requirement is that the complainant was under the age of 12 years, when the evidence tendered showed a substanti ally younger age. When that is taken into account, we are}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 satisfied that the evidence to which we have referred in its totality and the absence of any other evidence to raise some reasonable possibility that the girl was in fact some years older than the ev idence and her appearance indicated, established this element of the charge beyond reasonable doubt. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9980387\charrsid6504640 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 The appeal against conviction is therefore dismissed, as is the appeal against sentence which was not pursued. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16331466 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5255657\charrsid6504640 CHIEF JUSTICE \par COURT OF APPEAL \par }}