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\f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par At Suva
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 22 OF 1989
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 ALIFERETI NIMACERE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Appellant
\par 
\par v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 STATE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par Appellant in Person
\par Mr. S. Seneratne for the State
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 On the 29th of March 1988 the appellant was charged before the Suva Magistrate Court with the following 8 offences}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 1}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 :}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 \tab }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Factory Breaking, Entering and Larceny}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  in that he and 2 others broke and entered the }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Island Bottlers Ltd}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 . factory in Lami and stole $40 cash, 4 cassette tapes and 1 radio.
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
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\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 \tab }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Factory Breaking, Entering and Larceny}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 .}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 This time the factory belonged to the }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Foods Pacific Limited}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  at Lami and $310 cash was stolen.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}Both of the above offences are alleged to have occurred during the night of the 15th of October, 1986 (i.e. 1 1/2 yea
rs before the charges were laid).
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-1407\li2127\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin2127\itap0\pararsid12020591 {\b\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Cts 3 & 4}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 :\tab }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Escaping from Lawful Custody and Assaulting}{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
a Police Officer}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  both offences relate to the appellant's escape from Lami Police Station whilst he was being escorted to the toilet from the police cell by P.C. 1328 Jimi Nakai.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par The next 4 counts relate to offences the appellant is alleged to have committed after his escape, in particular:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 5}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 :}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 \tab Charges an }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Assault with Intent to Commit a}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Felony}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  in which the night watchman of }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
D. Narayan}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Industries Ltd}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 . was threatened 
with a knife and}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 assaulted with a pinch bar.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par The remaining 3 counts }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (6, 7 & 8)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  charge offences of }{
\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Burglary and Larceny from Dwelling House}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
 in which 3 houses in the Lami area are alleged to have been broken into on 3 different nights in November, 1986 and from which a hifi set, a radio cassette, jewellery, liquor and clothings worth a total of }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 $1,420}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  were stolen.
\par 
\par The appellant pleaded not guilty to all the offences and the prosecution called 6 witnesses (2 civilians and 4 police officers) and produced 2 medical reports }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (Exs. 1 and 2)}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 ; 5 witness statements }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (Exs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7B)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
 and the appellant's caution interview (Ex. 7)}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 and charge statement }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (Ex. 7C)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  at the trial.
\par 
\par It appears from the appellant's petition of appeal and the court record itself that differences arose between the appellant and the trial magistrate in the course of the trial causing the appellant to adopt an "uncooperative" attitude }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (to use a neutral term)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  towards the court.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 In the result the appellant refused to elect after the close of the prosecution's case and no evidence was given by him or called on his behalf.
\par 
\par The learned trial magistrate in a closely-typed judgment of 5 pages considered the evidence on each count in turn and }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "found the case against the (appellant) proved beyond reaso
nable doubt on all 8 counts"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  and convicted him.
\par 
\par Upon his conviction the appellant was sentenced as follows}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 1}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 2 years imprisonment
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 2}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 2 years imprisonment consecutive
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 3}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 6 months}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 concurrent
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 4}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 2 years}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab \tab }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 consecutive
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 5}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 1 year}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab \tab }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab \tab 
}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 6}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 1}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591    }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab \tab }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 \tab }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 concurrent with 3}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 strokes of corporal punishment; 
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 7}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 3 months imprisonment concurrent with 3}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 stro}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 kes of corporal punishment; and}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Ct 8}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 : }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 6 months imprisonment concurrent with 2}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429  }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 strokes of corporal punishment.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 The total effective sentence thus imposed was 7 years}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 imprisonment and 8 strokes of corporal punishment.
\par 
\par In addition the learned trial magistrate summarily charged and convicted the appellant with an offence relating to his alleged disrespectful behaviour in the face of the court on
 a previous occasion and sentenced him to the maximum penalty of 3 months imprisonment provided for an offence under }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Section 136(1)}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  of the Penal Code Cap. 17.
\par 
\par With respect to the learned trial magistrate and whilst sympathising with the predicament with which he was faced, he had no power to act as he did.
\par 
\par The Magistrates Court is a creature of statute and has no inherent jurisdiction vested in it to punish for contempt unlike the High Court.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 It is sometimes referred to as an inferior court and any jurisdiction it has to deal with contempt must be referable to a statutory provision.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (See}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 R. v. Davies}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  [1906] 1 KB 32 at 42.)
\par  
\par Needless to say the High Court exercises revisional superintendence over the Magistrate Courts by confining them to their proper powers and duties and where necessary }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
"...... extends to the upholding of the authority of magistrates' courts"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (}{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 See}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  Sections 323 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Section 6 of the Magistrate Court Act Cap. 14.)
\par 
\par That is not to say that Magistrates' Courts are completely without power to restrain contempts }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
in the face of the court'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 , on the contrary, such power exists in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Section 136(2) of the Penal Code Cap. 17}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  which provides}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 inter alia}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 : }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "When an offence against paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h) or (m) of Subsection (1) }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 is committed in view of the court}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 , .........., }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 the court may}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  cause the offender to be detained in custody, and }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 at any time before the rising of the court on the same day}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
 may take cognizance of the offence and sentence the offender to a fine not exceeding $40 or in default of payment to imprisonment for }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 a term not exceeding one month.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 " (my }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 underlining)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par In this case there can be no doubt at all that the appellant's recorded behaviour and language in court towards the learned trial magistrate was aggressive, abusive and contemptible and richly deserved summary punishment.
\par 
\par Unfortunately however the learned trial magistrate did not deal with the appellant strictly within the terms of his powers provided by }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Section 136(2) }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (op. cit.), b
ut instead, purported to exercise an inherent power to deal summarily with contempt of court which he did not have, and imposed a penalty far in excess of that provided by the law.
\par 
\par Reluctantly therefore on this technical ground the appellant's conviction and sentence for the alleged offence relating to the judicial proceedings in the Magistrates Court must be and is hereby quashed.
\par 
\par Additionally, learned State Counsel concedes after making the necessary enquiries requested by order of Jesuratnam. J, that t
he appellant's convictions on the first and second counts cannot stand or be supported as the offences are alleged to have been committed on the 15th of October 1986 at a time when the appellant was still a confirmed inmate at the Naboro Prison Complex.

\par 
\par It is noteworthy that the appellant appealed against his conviction on these 2 counts on the ground that}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 ........ when these two offences were committed on the
}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 15th of October, I was still in prison.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 I escaped from prison on the 16th of October which can be confi}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12020591 rmed by the prison authorities.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
In the circumstances in spite of the appellant's alleged confession to the police his convictions on Counts 1 and 2 must be regarded as unsafe and are accordingly quashed and the sentences set aside.
\par 
\par As for the appellant's appeal against his conviction and the sentence imposed by the learned trial magistrate on count 3, the Magistrate Court record reveals that the appellant pleaded guilty to Count 3.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 He is therefore statute-barred from appealing against his conviction on that count which is accord}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 ingly dismissed as incompetent.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
His grounds of appeal against the remaining counts 4 to 8 does not point to any specific weaknesses in the evidence nor does it raise a defence on his part, rather they amount to a series 
of complaints against the trial magistrate and the manner in which he conducted the trial.
\par 
\par I do not propose to dwell on each ground of complaint save to say that they are entirely without merit.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
The learned trial magistrate kept a detailed record of the proceedings in his court.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
The appellant's cross-examination of the witnesses was recorded in question and answer form and there is nothing on the face of the court record to support the appellant's wild allegation of bias or prejudice on the part of the learned trial magistrate.

\par 
\par In particular, the record reveals that the appellant was warned on the 30th of May to get all his witnesses and although the case was adjourned thereafter on 3 separate occasions the appellant did not bring his witnesses.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 He has only himself to blame for that.
\par 
\par Furthermore, the appellant himself refused to say anything in his defence at the trial and the learned trial magistrate cannot be faulted for convicting him in the absence of any evidence to contradict the prosecution's evidence on counts 4 to 8.
\par 
\par Needless to say on Counts 4 and 5, the victims themselves were called to give evidence and their medical reports were produced to confirm the extent and nature of their injuries.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 In addition an eye-witness was called in Count 5.
\par 
\par As for Counts 6, 7 and 8 the police officers who attended the various breakings testified to seeing evidence of forced entry into the various premises.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 The original police statements of the complainants in counts 6, 7 and 8 were also tendered in court as prosecution exhibits under Section 192 of the Criminal Procedure Code Cap. 21.
\par 
\par Of this latter matter I make the observation that although the appellant does not appear to have given notice that he required the complainants to appear and testify in person, nevertheless the magistrate could have required the}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 i}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 r attendance }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 "...... of his own motion".}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (}{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 See}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
 Subsection 4(b) of Section 192) and in the particular circumstances of the case coupled with the fact that the appellant was unrepresented such a course should have been adopted in fairness to the appellant.
\par 
\par Nevertheless, in view of the appellant's clear confession to the 3 breakings, all of which occurred during a period when the appellant was at-large as an escapee, the learned trial magistrate was quite entitl
ed to find the charges against the appellant proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
\par 
\par Accordingly, the appellant's appeal against his convictions on counts 4 to 8 is dismissed.
\par 
\par The appellant's appeal against the sentences on counts 3 to 8 as earlier enumerated is also dismissed as being entirely without merit.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429\charrsid8412429  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
It should be noted that the appellant's sentence has already been reduced by a term of 4 years 3 months and the remaining sentences were lenient in all the circumstances so graphically described by the lea
rned trial magistrate when he sentenced the appellant.
\par 
\par However, the sentences of corporal punishment are now statute-barred by virtue of the provisions of }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 Section 34(3)(f)(ii) of the Penal Code Cap. 17}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429  and are formally quashed.
\par 
\par Save for the reduction of 4 years and 3 months in the appellant's total sentence his appeal against conviction and sentence is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 JUDGE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par At Suva,
\par 16th March, 1990.
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8412429 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8412429 HAA0022J.89S}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15870742\charrsid8412429 
\par }}