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\f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par At Labasa
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 24 OF 1989
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 (1) }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 BOBI NANAU
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 (2) }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 SOLOMONE WARARA
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 (3) }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 TANIELA BALEIKORODAWA}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 Appellants
\par 
\par v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 STATE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par Appellants in Person
\par Mr. R. Perera for the Respondent
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 JUDGMENT}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par The appellants were all convicted in the Savusavu Magistrate Court on their guilty pleas to an offence of }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 Rape}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
 and sentenced as follows}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 The 1st appellant to 4 years imprisonment and 5 strokes of corporal punishment and the 2nd and 3rd appellants to
 3 years imprisonment.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}They have each appealed against the sentence imposed urging numerous grounds in support of their appeals.
\par 
\par However before dealing with each appellant in turn it is convenient to iterate the facts that were admitted by them before the trial magistrate.
\par 
\par Very briefly, the complainant who was a 14 year old school girl had attended a village function in the evening of the day in question and had returned home with a lighted firewood which she had intended to use to light a lantern.
\par 
\par It i
s not clearly stated in the facts but it does appear that the 3 appellants had followed her because whilst she was still in the process of lighting the lantern the appellants entered the house and raped her in turn, whilst another kept her mouth closed wi
th a piece of cloth and the third kept a look out.
\par 
\par Fortunately for the complainant a passer-by heard her gasping and opened the door to investigate whereupon all 3 appellants fled out of the house.
\par 
\par The incident was reported to the police and when interviewed, the appellants admitted the offence.
\par 
\par It is not completely insignificant that the complainant suffered no physical injuries as a result of her ordeal and although only 14 years of age her }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
"........ vagina admits two fingers easily without problems".}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par 
\par I turn now to deal with the appellants in turn.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
The first appellant is the eldest and appears to have been the leader of the group.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
He is 22 years of age and has a previous conviction for }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 Defilement}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
 of a girl under 13 years of age for which he received a sentence of 9 months imprisonment.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
He has clearly not learnt much from that prison sentence.
\par 
\par He says he had reconciled in the traditional Fijian manner with the complainant's family before the police were involved.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 If that is really so}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918  and the reconciliation was tru}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
ly genuine then one wonders why the police were ever informed at all in the first place?}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
Unless of course reconciliation was effected after a complaint or report had been made to the police in which event one wonders at the true motives behind the so-called reconciliation.
\par 
\par Nevertheless the complainant's father has confirmed the appellant's offer and their acceptance of reconciliation in the traditional Fijian manner.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 He claims to be aware of what they did to his daughter and he and his wife and daughter have agreed to forgive the appellants because they are }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 "...... closely related to them"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918  by blood.
\par 
\par Having given the matter careful consideration I do not consider that the first appellant's sentence should be altered.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
His appeal against the sentence of 4 years imprisonment is accordingly dismissed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
The sentence of corporal punishment however is now statute-barred and is set aside.
\par 
\par The position of the 2nd and 3rd appellants is different they are first offenders and both played a marginally secondary role in the incident.
\par 
\par In the case of the 2nd appellant it is unfortunate that his birth certificate was not available in the lower court and he was treated by the court as an adult for sentencing purposes.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 If the birth certificate had been available, the
 trial magistrate would have realised that at the time of sentencing, the 2nd appellant was a "young person" not having attained the age of 17 years.
\par 
\par In the case of such an offender, Section 30(2) of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 Juveniles Act Cap. 56}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918  provides}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 "(2) No young per
son shall be ordered to be imprisoned for an offence ......... unless the court certifies that he is so unruly a character that he cannot be detained in an approved institution or that he is of so depraved a character that he is not }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 a fit person to be so detained;}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 and
\par 
\par Then Sub-Section (3) imposes a further limitation even where a young offender can properly be sent to prison by providing that}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 "(3) A young person shall not be ordered to be imprisoned for more }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 than two years for any offence.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par Clearly n
either provision was brought to the trial magistrate's attention and in any event it is in the interests of all trial magistrates when sentencing young offenders to carefully ascertain their age and to obtain a social welfare report if at all possible bef
ore sentencing.
\par 
\par The sentence of the 2nd appellant cannot be allowed to remain and is accordingly set aside and in substitution thereof the appellant is ordered to be released into the care of his father upon he and his father (as surety) entering into a re
cognizance in the sum of $100 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 2 years and in particular towards the complainant Ilisapeci Vika.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 The appellant is to remain in custody until such time as the recognizance and surety is entered into.
\par 
\par The 3rd appellant's circumstances are similar to those of the 2nd appellant except that he is 18 years of age.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 I}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 n his case too I am able to be lenient.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
He too is ordered to be released into the care of his father on the same terms and conditions as the 2nd appellant.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 JUDGE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011\charrsid6713918 
\par At Labasa,
\par 16th March, 1990.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1533011 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6713918 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918 HAA0024J.89B}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6713918\charrsid6713918 
\par }}