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\f36\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par At Suva
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 22 AND 23 OF 1991
\par 
\par Between:
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 WAISAKE TUKANA}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9319345\charrsid9319345 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Appellant
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9319345\charrsid9319345 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 THE STATE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9319345\charrsid9319345 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par Appellant in Person
\par Mr. J. Naigulevu for the Respondent
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par The appellant and 3 others were jointly charged with an offence of }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 STOWAWAY}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 : Contrary to }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Section 131}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Marine Act}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  No. 35 of 1986.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
They all pleaded guilty in the Magistrate Court, Suva and were convicted and sentenced to short terms of imprisonment.
\par 
\par The appellant in particular was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for the offence and in addition the trial magistrate activated 4 months of an unexpired suspended sentence of imprisonment.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 The typed court record reveals that both sentences were ordered to be served consecutively making a total of 7 months imprisonment.
\par 
\par The appellant now appeals against the harshness of the sentence imposed and more particularly against the order making the sentences consecutive.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 At first glance neither ground has any merit at all and might have been s
ummarily dismissed had it not been for the rather unusual form in which the latter ground of appeal was framed and argued by the appellant.
\par 
\par The particular ground reads}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 "2.\tab That the sentence delivered by the trial Magistrate is different from the one wr
itten on the appellants warrant.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 He was sentenced to 4 months (activation of suspended sentence) }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 concurrent}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  to the 3 months term, but in his warrant it is written }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 consecutive}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 .}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par At the hearing of his appeal the appellant appeared in person and confidently presented his appeal in fluent English.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
He correctly identified the 2 sentences that comprised his total sentence of 7 months and then asserted that he clearly and distinctly heard the trial magistrate say in open court that the sentences were to be served "CONCURRENTLY".
\par 
\par In answer to the Court's questions the appellant demonstrated that he understood the essential difference between a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 concurrent'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  and a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 consecutive'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  sentence.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
He also confirmed that in his past criminal record he had received both kinds of sentences and was therefore familiar with them and he calculated that if the sentences were "concurrent" as he claimed he would be released in two weeks.
\par 
\par Learned State Counsel sought to oppose the appeal on the basis of the typed record available which was entirely understandable but could offer only limited assistance in answering the specific complaints raised by the appellant.
\par 
\par This appeal raises fundamental and thankfully rare issues that may occasionally arise in a criminal context.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 The first raise
s the question of the power (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 if any}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
) of a trial magistrate to subsequently alter or vary a sentence pronounced in open court }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 and}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 secondly, whether such variation may be made (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 if at all}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 ) in the absence of the convicted person.
\par 
\par As to the first, unlike in England, in this country there is no statutory authority contained in either the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Magistrates Court Act}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 or}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  the }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Criminal Procedure Code}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 which empowers or enables a magistrate to vary or alter a sentence after it has been imposed or pronounced.
\par 
\par Nevertheless the mere pronouncement of a sentence of imprisonment in open court is not the end of the matter.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
There remains the procedural and necessary requirements that must be complied with before it can be enforced.
\par 
\par In this regard }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Section 28(5)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  of the Penal Code provides }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 inter alia}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 A warrant under the hand of the judge or}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Magistrate by whom any person is sentenced to imprisonment, ordering that the sentence be carried out in any prison in Fiji, }{
\i\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 shall}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  be issued by the sentencing judge or magistrate, and shall be fu
ll authority to the officer in charge of such prison ......... for carrying into effect the sentence described in such warrant."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par The sub-section then continues}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
....... every sentence shall be deemed to commence from and to include the whole of the day on }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16677777 which it was pronounced........}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 "}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par In this case the appellant's sentence was varied or altered }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 before}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  the committal warrant was issued.
\par 
\par Needless to say in the absence of statutory authority to vary or alter a sentence there is also no laid down procedure to be followed in the event a sentence is}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 altered or varied.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 It is in that }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 vacuum' that this Court must strive to answer the issues raised in this appeal.
\par 
\par In the English case of }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 R. v. Bachelor}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  (1952)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 36 Cr. App. R 64 the Court of Criminal Appeal in the absence of any statutory provisions observed at p. 69}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
There is no doubt that a court always has the power to alter a sentence so long as the court is in session.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
That is to say, at assizes the judge who has passed a sentence may, at any subsequent da
te till the assizes are completed by the signing of the gaol delivery, alter the sentence, and does so not infrequently when he is actually signing the gaol delivery on the last day of the assizes.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 So, too, there cannot be any doubt that a court of quarter sessions has power to alter a sentence that it has passed.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 The sentence is not final and complete until the sentences are signed, which is usually done by the clerk of the peace and not by the recorder.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Until the document, which is delivered to the gaoler
 as recording the sentences of the court, is finally signed, the sentence always can be altered - can be increased, which is seldom done, or can be decreased."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par In my considered view that passage correctly reflects the common law position that prevailed in England for many years before the power to alter or vary a sentence became incorporated into statute law.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }
{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 For my part I can see no compelling reason that would persuade me to hold that magistrates in this country are not similarly empowered.
\par 
\par Having said that however the occasions must be rare when a magistrate who has taken time to consider a sentence will be permitted in the exercise of this power to alter in a fundamental way a sentence he has already imposed in open court.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 An accused person is entitled
 to expect that a lawful sentence he has received in open court will not be altered to his detriment unless it is based on a bona fide mistake.
\par 
\par As was said by the Court of Criminal Appeal (U.K.) in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 R. v. Grice}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  (1978) 66 Cr. App. R 167 when dealing with a 
statutory provision which permitted the alteration of a sentence (at p. 172)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
In our view that section was included in order that slips made by the judge can be corrected, be they slips of the tongue or slips of the memory, and it was necessary to have such a provision to enable that to be done.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
It was quite wrong, in our view, that it should be used as it was in this case, for a fundamental change of mind making a sentence which had been suspended into one which was not."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 More recently in }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 R. v. Nodjoumi}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 (1985) 7 Cr. App. R (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Sentencing Series}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
) 183 the Court in reinstating a sentence that had been increased by alteration said}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7484033 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 "}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
........ trial judges should not after an interval of days, and after thinking over what they have done by way of sentence, decide that their sentence has been over-lenient.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 In our judgment, the public interest requires that there should be finality in sentencing as far as there reasonably can be.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Slips of the tongue and lapses of memory are one thing;}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
...... but merely increasing the sentence because on reflection the first sentence was not thought to be adequate does not seem to us to be a good reason for varying it."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par The short answer to the first issue is that a magistrate in this country may alter or vary a sentence after it ha
s been pronounced in open court and before he signs the committal warrant provided however that the case is recalled in open court and the accused person is given an opportunity to make representations before the altered sentence is pronounced.
\par 
\par As to the second issue, it is a constitutional requirement in this country that (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 with one inapplicable exception}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
) all proceedings of every court including the announcement of the decision of the court shall be held }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 in public'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  and, more particularly, the trial of an
 accused person shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable.
\par 
\par These constitutional imperatives are further particularised in the provisions of the Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes which governs the trial of all criminal cases in the Magistrate as well as in the High Court.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par 
\par For instance, }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Section 206(2)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  of the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
Criminal Procedure Code}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  for our present purposes requires a Magistrate Court in which an accused person has pleaded guilty, to convict him }{
\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 and}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  pass sentence upon him.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 In addition }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Section 154(1)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  requires }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 "the judgment"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  in every trial in any criminal court }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 to be pronounced in open court}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 and}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 subsection (2)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 requires the accused person to be in attendance to hear judgment delivered unless his presence has been dispensed with.
\par 
\par Then }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Section 155}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 of the CPC which deals with the contents of judgments provides that where an accused person has pleaded guilty it shall be sufficient if the judgment contains only the finding }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 and}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  sentence and is signed and dated by the presiding officer at the time of pronouncing it.
\par 
\par From the foregoing it is clear that every }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 judgment' (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
which term includes any sentence imposed}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 ) must be orally pronounced in open court by the presiding 
officer in the presence of the accused person so as to enable him to make any representations that he may wish to make in mitigation of sentence.
\par 
\par In this case there is no dispute that the trial magistrate's judgment and sentence were orally pronounced by him in open court in the presence and hearing of the appellant.
\par 
\par Thereafter, if the appellant is to be believed, unbeknown to him the trial magistrate had a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 "change of mind"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
 and altered his pronounced order making the sentences }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 concurrent'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 , into one making them }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 consecutive'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  thereby increasing his total sentence by 3 months.
\par 
\par It is common ground that the altered sentence was never pronounced in open court and was first publicised in the committal warrant signed by the trial magistrate in which the 3 months imposed for the present offence was made }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 " ...... consecutive to any term"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 The appellant claims he protested this "difference" to the escorting officer when he first learnt of the matter at the Suva Prison but to no avail.
\par 
\par If I may say so having perused the original handwritten record of the trial magistrate I am convinced of the truth of the appellant's submissions in this regard.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 This was not only an }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 unusual'}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  ground of appeal but more importantly the appellant's submissions had a }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 '}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 ring of truth'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  to them.
\par 
\par Furthermore although there were no sworn affidavits from any of the witnesses that the appellant claims he had, to the event, nevertheless, the original handwritten sentence of the trial magistrate very clearly shows that the word "concurrent" in the 
order making the sentences concurrent has been deleted and underwritten or overwritten with the word "consecutive".
\par 
\par This has been done 4 times in the course of the magistrate's handwritten sentence (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 i.e. once in respect of each of the accused persons including the appellant}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 ) and whatsmore in a sentence which the trial magistrate had presumably considered and written over an intervening weekend.
\par 
\par In }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 R. v. May}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  (1981) 3 Cr. App. R 165 (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
Sentencing Series}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 ) the Court of Appeal (U.K.) in setting aside variations of a sentence effected by the trial judge in chambers and in the absence of the accused, held}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-1440\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
"..... that a defendant was entitled to be present when sentence was passed and to make representations; he ought not to be deprived of the right of making rep
resentations, particularly when it was intended that the sentences already imposed upon him in his presence should be varied by being increased."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid7484033 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 In the circumstances although the trial magistrate could have properly altered or varied the sentences after 
they had been pronounced in open court and before he had signed the committal warrants, his failure to recall the case and publicly pronounce his altered sentences is a procedural irregularity which cannot be condoned by this court.
\par 
\par Accordingly the appeal succeeds and the appellant's sentences are hereby ordered to be served concurrently with effect from the }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 28th of January 1991}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7484033  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
Furthermore in the exercise of this court's revisional jurisdiction the sentences of the appellant's co-accused in Suva }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Criminal Case No: 195/91}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  namely }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Leone Marawa}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 , }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Meli Vakamocea}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  and }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 Meli Cama}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345  are similarly ordered to be served concurrently with effect from the 28th of January, 1991.}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9319345 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15815566\charrsid9319345 At Suva,
\par 11th April, 1991.
\par }}