{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f36\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}
{\f37\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f39\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f40\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f41\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}
{\f42\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f43\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f44\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;
\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;
\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{
\s1\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{
\s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \i\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tblind0\tblindtype3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar
\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 header;}{\*\cs16 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3029359\rsid3080329
\rsid5639940\rsid6575409\rsid7826010\rsid10702182\rsid11824790\rsid15169619}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6829;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS}{\author tfaireka}{\operator Talevakarua Laniana}{\creatim\yr2007\mo10\dy11\hr16\min1}
{\revtim\yr2007\mo10\dy18\hr14\min32}{\version10}{\edmins6}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords628}{\nofchars3586}{\nofcharsws4206}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1797\margr1797\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace187\dgvspace180\dghorigin1797\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow2
\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\rsidroot3080329 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd 
\psz1\linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\headerl \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\wraparound\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid7826010 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\cs16\insrsid7826010 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7826010 
\par }}{\headerr \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\wraparound\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {
\cs16\insrsid7826010 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid6575409 2}}}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\cs16\insrsid7826010 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7826010 
\par }}{\*\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\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3029359 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS
\par HELD AT RAROTONGA
\par }{\insrsid3029359\charrsid3029359 
\par }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 (CRIMINAL DIVISION)}{\insrsid3029359  }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 JP APPEAL NO. 4/04
\par 
\par }{\b\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 IN THE MATTER}{\b\insrsid3029359\charrsid3029359  }{\b\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 of Section 76, of the
\par Judicature Act 1980-81
\par }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
\par BETWEEN}{\insrsid3029359 
\par 
\par }{\b\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 THE POLICE
\par }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Appellant
\par 
\par AND}{\insrsid3029359 
\par 
\par }{\b\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 TEINA ATAERA
\par }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3029359 {\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
\par Mr Tetava for Police
\par Mr Little for Respondent}{\insrsid7826010 
\par }{\insrsid5639940\charrsid3029359 
\par }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Date of decision:}{\insrsid3029359\charrsid3029359  }{\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 7 May 2004
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5639940 {\b\ul\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
\par DECISION OF GREIG, CJ
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5639940 {\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 This is another appeal against the Prosecution which failed, I can\rquote t see a correct way to put it.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 The Respondent was charged with one charge of assault on Mr Chris Kapi on the 17th January 2004.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 There was a plea of Not Guilty and a defended hearing in which quite a number of witnesses gave evidence on the}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Prosecution side and on the defence side.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
The decision of the Justice of the Peace as recorded on the Plaint is this:
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5639940 {\i\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
\par }{\i\insrsid3029359\charrsid5639940 "}{\i\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 Defendant found not guilty, discharged without conviction under S. 112}{\i\insrsid10702182  }{\i\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
of the Criminal Procedure Act 1980-81 plus $10.00 Court costs.}{\i\insrsid3029359\charrsid5639940 "}{\i\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5639940 {\insrsid7826010\charrsid5639940 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3029359 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
The evidence taken was not recorded and there is no what might be called a regular note of the evidence taken by the Justice of the Peace.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
There is a three page handwritten document undated and unsigned but which counsel have accepted is the Justice\rquote s record of the hearing clearly in an abbreviated form.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 I thought myself when I saw it first that it might have been his notes against the decision that he was going to make.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Without objection and indeed with encouragement I have considered that note.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
In addition to that there is on the file a certificate or a report to the Police by the doctor at the hospital who attended the complainant/victim where there\rquote 
s a diagram of the vehicle involved and the place where some of the people were around the vehicle and there is a copy of the record of the interview of the Respondent by the Police on 22 January 2004.
\par 
\par What seems obvious to me is that after a number of young people had been drinking there was a}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 outside the place at which they had collected.}
{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Stones were thrown,
 a vehicle seems to have been attacked, some strangers to the Defendant, I mean by that, not involved in that particular attack, were also being attacked by a group and in this course the victim received a blow on the forehead which caused lacerations.

\par 
\par The Respondent never denied that he had used a piece of timber and that it had struck the Complainant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Self defence was raised as a defence.}
{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 There were a number of witnesses giving different versions as is not uncommon in a matter such as this in a confused and angry situation.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 There were some independent witnesses as well who were strangers to incidents and but who came and gave evidence.
\par 
\par In his notes the Justice has written this:
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5639940 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
\par }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 I acknowledge the submissions by both the Prosecution and the Defence}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6575409  }{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 in which they provided their evidence of proof of their case.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 The Court}
{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6575409  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 cannot deny that the assault did not happen, however was it intentionally or}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6575409  }{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 unintentionally.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
Therefore I find the Defendant is not guilty because it was}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6575409  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 unintentionally and anyone would have done the same like the Defendant}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6575409  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 in a similar situation.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3029359 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11824790 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
Although self defence was clearly raised and was referred to in these notes of the Justice in dealing with the Defence case, nowhere in that decision part of his note did he use the term self defence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Section 112 is a section which is of use where a matter has arisen which even though the facts prove the person guilty, it is felt inappropriate to convict.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 A Justice of the Peace has a wide discretion to apply that section where it is appropriate in his or her view.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Clearly it is not a section which is to be frequently applied but it is appropriate in some circumstances.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 Here was a case where there was a confusing episode in which there had been aggressive conduct of a part of the Complainant and his friends,}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 an attempt to resolve the situation in which the Complainant became injured.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 The Justice clearly considered that technically an assault had taken place but he concluded that in the circumstances it was appropriate to discharge the Accused.
\par 
\par There is certainly nothing to persuade me that that discretion was misapplied in this case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
Indeed I go so far as to say that it was perfectly proper in the circumstances that pertained on that night and at that Prosecution.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3029359  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 
The appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11824790 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7826010\charrsid3029359 CHIEF JUSTICE
\par }}