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\f36\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par At Suva
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 11 OF 1991
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 TAITO SOKO}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638\charrsid4399638 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Appellant
\par 
\par v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 THE STATE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638\charrsid4399638 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4399638 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
\par Appellant in Person
\par Mr. S. Hettige for the Respondent
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4399638 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4399638 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 The appellant pleaded guilty to }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Damaging Property}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 and }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Common Assault}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  in the Suva Magistrate Court.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Upon his conviction he was fined }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 $175}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  in default 3 months imprisonment }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 and}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 $30}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 in default 6 weeks imprisonment respectively, making a total fine of $205.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 The learned trial magistrate further ordered t
hat compensation of $150 and $15 be paid out of the fines imposed to the respective complainants.
\par 
\par The appellant now appeals against the sentence on the ground that it is harsh and excessive; that the damage caused had been repaired and that he has reconciled with the complainants.
\par 
\par The facts of the case are fairly short.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 The appellant {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}
and his wife are tenants in a house belonging to the 1st complainant and in which the 2nd complainant also shares a room.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
On the day in question the appellant after having some drinks returned to his room to find his wife missing.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
He later saw her in the 2nd complainant's room.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
When she refused to come out of the room presumably at the appellant's urging he in anger punched the door of the room damaging it.
\par 
\par The 2nd complainant on seeing the damaged door not unreasonably told the appellant to repair the door and she in turn was punched on the forehead and pushed causing her to fall and sustain minor superficial injuries.
\par 
\par The learned trial magistrate without attempting to reconcile the parties as he was entitled to under }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Section 163}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Criminal Procedure Code}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 and without ascertaining the ability of the appellant to pay a monetary penalty, merely imposed the fines already}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 mentioned.
\par 
\par It appears as if the learned trial magistrate was overly concerned with compensating the material damage to the door, so much so, that in the relatively more serious offence in }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Count 2}
{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  involving personal violence, a fine approximating one sixth of the fine for }{\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Damaging Property}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  on the first count, was imposed.
\par 
\par Furthermore although }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Section 161}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
Criminal Procedure Code}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 enables a court to order the whole or any part of a fine imposed to be applied in or towards compensation for any loss or injury caused by an offence it is not meant to be the basis upon which the quantum of the fine should be calculated.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Nor should such a procedure be used as an alternative to civil remedies.
\par 
\par Fines like prison sentences must bear some proportionate relation to the facts of the offences in respect of which they are imposed and provided that it is not excessive.
\par 
\par In this case the appellant is married, 30 years of age and employed in the }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638\charrsid4399638 Auxiliary}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  Unit of the Fiji Military Forces.}
{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 He is a first offender and had pleaded guilty to the offences.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 He earns }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 $158 per fortnight}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 and therefore the total fines imposed represent almost }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 "3 weeks wages"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 .}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 This is a heavy financial burden which is made the more onerous by the }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 28 days}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  given the appellant in which to pay the fine imposed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
\par 
\par In addition the appellant has since his conviction had a leg amputated and this permanent physical disability must inevitably affect his earning potential if it has not already.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 He continues to live in the same house as the complainants.
\par 
\par In all the circumstances the sentence on }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Count 1}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  must be con
sidered harsh and excessive and is accordingly set aside and in substitution therefor I impose a fine of $25 in default }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 2 months}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  imprisonment.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 The fine on }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 Count 2}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638  is entirely appropriate and is upheld as is the compensation ordered thereunder.
\par 
\par The total fine which the appellant must now pay on both counts is $55.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4399638  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 He is given a further }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 28 days}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 
 within which to pay the fines in default of which he is to be imprisoned for 3 months or until such time as the fines are paid.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4399638 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4399638 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3811316\charrsid4399638 At Suva,
\par 14th February, 1991.
\par }}