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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI

\par At Suva
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 68 OF 1989
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 RUSTAM ALI}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790 s/o Nadir Ali}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par Appellant
\par 
\par v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 STATE
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par Appellant in Person
\par Ms}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790 . A. Prasad for the Respondent}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid1978278 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 The appellant was convicted after trial by the Suva Magistrate Court for an offence of }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
Obtaining Money by False Pretences}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 . }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
He had pleaded not guilty and the prosecution called 4 witnesses in proving its case including the complainant and his wife and 2 police officers who had interviewed and charged the appellant}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 respectively.
\par 
\par {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}
Upon his conviction on the 22nd September 1988 the appellant was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and the learned trial magistrate also activated in full a suspended sentence of 6 months imprisonment for a similar o
ffence committed in January 1988 thereby making a total sentence of 2 1/2 years imprisonment.
\par 
\par The appellant now appeals against his sentence arguing that it is harsh and excessive and he urges in support the hardship that his imprisonment has caused to his 3 young children.
\par 
\par The prosecution's case which was proved to the learned trial magistrate's satisfaction was that the appellant and an accomplice approached the complainant and his wife and offered to sell them a video camera and a watch for $1,500.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 The appellant had succeeded in gaining their confidence through the use of an }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 ID. Card}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790  bearing his photograph and which described him as a }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 "Travelling Salesman"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790  for a named watch company.
\par 
\par The appellant and his accomplice were paid a deposit of $750 and the balance of $750 the following day.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
After the final payment a parcel was handed over to the complainant's wife which when opened revealed its contents of empty cigarette packets.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 There was no camera or watch.
\par 
\par The matter was then reported to the police who confirmed the withdrawal of $1,500 (in two equal amounts) from the complainant's bank account.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 The investigating officer also seized the appellant's }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 "ID Card"}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
He also interviewed the appellant who although he admitted receiving half of the money appeared to lay the blame on his accomplice.
\par 
\par At his trial the appellant gave sworn evidence professing his innocence and testifying to having received a payment of $350 from the complainant's wife.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 No mention is made about any goods changing hands.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 Needless to say 
this payment was denied by the complainant when he was cross-examined about it by the appellant.
\par 
\par The learned trial magistrate in convicting the appellant and his accomplice said}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 "This case rests on credibility of witnesses.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 PW1 and PW2 (i.e. the complainant and his wife) appeared to be honest and truthful.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 They have no reason to tell lies they have no enmity against the 2 accused.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 Both accused were evasive and made general denials.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  I totally disbelieve them.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 "
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 In sentencing the appellant the learned trial magistrate said}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790 "}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
This is a case where I would be failing in my duty if custodial sentences were not given.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
Both accused are confidence-tricksters who cheated a decent couple of $1,500 of their hard earned money by playing a clever trick on them.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 Both have long lists of previous convictions although the 1st accused's record is somew}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790 hat worse than the 2nd accused.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 "}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par In this latter regard it must be noted that the appellant has }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 5}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
 previous convictions for similar offences of dishonesty to that with which he was convicted and although on each occasion he was given a suspended prison sentence he does not appear to have changed his ways and has drifted back into crime.
\par 
\par I accept an immediate custodial sentence was warranted I also accept that the children and
 family are inevitably the innocent victims when a father and sole breadwinner is sent to prison but dishonesty is not an acceptable means of providing for one's family.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 I note that the appellant has been allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence as an extra-mural prisoner and is therefore living with his 3 young children.
\par 
\par Having carefully considered this}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
appeal and all the circumstances of the case I do not consider that the sentence was in any way harsh or excessive.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790\charrsid5243790  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
The appeal is accordingly dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 JUDGE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par At Suva,
\par 2nd February, 1990.
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5243790 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5243790 HAA0068J.89S}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14619150\charrsid5243790 
\par }}