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\rsid10570037\rsid11479935\rsid11487034\rsid12002816\rsid16543004}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.4219;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Emalus Campus}{\operator ehndvaun_d}{\creatim\yr2003\mo7\dy31\hr18\min1}
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\f66\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par At Labasa
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 0015 OF 1995
\par 
\par B}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11479935 ETWEEN}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 :
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 LIVINAI NAMAMI
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Appellant
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11479935 AND:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 THE STATE
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Respondent
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Mr. A. Parshuram for Appellant
\par Ms. L. Laveti for Respondent
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid16543004 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 On the }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 15th of May 1995}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  this Court ordered the immediate release of the appellant on his entering into a }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 12 months}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  good behaviour bond.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
At the time the appellant had already served }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 3 1/2 months}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  imprisonment.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 On that occasion the Court said it would give its detailed reasons later.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 This I now proceed to do.
\par 
\par {\*\bkmkstart QuickMark}{\*\bkmkend QuickMark}On the }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 6th of February 1995}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
 the appellant who was a few months short of his }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 19th birthday}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  appeared before the }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Labasa Magistrate Court}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  on a charge of }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
Defilement}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  in which he was alleged to have }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "... had unlawful carnal knowledge of 
Sulueti Ganake Rawaqa a girl aged 14 years 5 months 23 days"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 .
\par 
\par The appellant pleaded }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976 '}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 guilty'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
 and admitted having sexual intercourse with the complainant.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Upon his conviction the }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976 learned trial magistrate said:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "He is a youngster of 18 years and has pleaded guilty in the first instance.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 But the offence is serious and has to be dealt with deterrent punishment.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Accused is sentenced to 2 1/2 years imprisonment."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par The appellant now appeals against the sentence imposed on the ground that it was }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "both harsh and excessive putting into consideration the circumstantial facts of the case."}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 In this latter regard learned counsel for the appellant laid emphasis upon the minimal age difference between the parties}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976 ;}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  their elopement to a nearby settlement and the rather dras
tic consequence of the sentence upon the appellant's present schooling and future prospects.
\par 
\par Further at the hearing of the appeal production of the complainant's birth certificate was sought and allowed without objection.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
This revealed that contrary to the age averred in the }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Particulars of Offence}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  charged i.e. }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "14 years 5 months 23 days"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 , the complainant was in fact }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "15 years 6 months and 22 days old on the date of the alleged offence"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  i.e. }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 13 months}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  older.
\par 
\par In this regard, accepting that the age of the complainant was still within the prohibited age limits prescribed in }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Section 156(1)(a)}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  of the }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Penal Code }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 (Cap.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 17)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
 and therefore the appellant's conviction was entirely proper, nevertheless, it has long been recognised by this Court that the relative age dif
ference between the offender and the complainant in such an offence is an important consideration in sentencing.
\par 
\par The learned author in }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "}{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Principles of Sentencing}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 " }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 by }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 D.A. Thomas}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  in discussing the approach of the English Courts to sentences for unlawful sexual intercourse with girls says at }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
p.113}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
"... the Courts tends to make a clear distinction between cases which involve exploitation of an immature girl by an older man and cases of sexual experimentation or displays of mutual affection between adolescents.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
In cases of the latter kind the offence is normally considered not to be particularly serious, and the Court generally considers that a modest fine or discharge is appropriate."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par Furthermore as was said by }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Lawton L.J.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  in }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Derek Roy Taylor and Others v. R}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 . }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
(1977) 64 Cr. App. R. 182}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  at }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 p.185}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976 :}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
"What does not seem to have been appreciated by the public is the wide spectrum of guilt which is covered by the offence known as having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of sixteen.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 At one end of 
the spectrum is the youth who stands in the dock, maybe 16, 17 or 18, who has had what started off as a virtuous friendship with a girl under the age of 16.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 The virtuous friendship has ended with them having sexual intercourse with one another.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 At the othe
r end of the spectrum is the man in a supervisory capacity, a school-master or social worker, who sets out deliberately to seduce a girl under the age of 16 who is in his charge.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 The penalties appropriate for the two types of case to which I have just referred to are very different indeed.}{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
Nowadays, most judges would take the view, and rightly take the view, that when there is a virtuous friendship which ends in unlawful sexual intercourse, it is inappropriate to pass sentences of a punitive nature.}{
\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 What is required is a warning to the youth to mend his ways."}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par (approved and applied in }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Aisake Valo v. State}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Labasa Cr. App. No. 8 of 1990}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  in which this Court set aside a sentence of }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 18 months }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 imprisonment and bound over the appellant for }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 2 years}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 .)
\par 
\par On the facts of this case there can be little doubt that this was a case of }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 "a virtuous friendship}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 (between two young people) }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 that ended with them having sexual intercourse with one another."}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  Certainly it falls }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 within that category of offending where }{\b\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
"... it is inappropriate to pass sentences of a punitive nature."}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par In this case the learned trial magistrate sentenced the appellant on an incorrect factual basis in that the complainant was }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 NOT}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  then under }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 15 years }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
of age at the time of the offence.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Furthermore no considera
tion appears to have been given to the minimal age difference between the parties and finally, as conceded by learned State counsel, there is no record that the learned trial magistrate was aware that the appellant was a student at the time of sentencing 
him.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Insofar as it may be possible to give some guidance in the matter, on a charge of }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Defilement}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  under }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Section 156(1)(a)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  of the }{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Penal Code}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 (Cap.}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5718976  }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 17)}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
, this Court is firmly of the view that in the absence of aggravating factors and subject to a favourable }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 Social Welfare Officer's}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  report, where the age difference between the accused and the complainant is less than }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 4 years}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 , a non-custodial sentence is appropriate.
\par 
\par In the light of the above and for the foregoing reasons the appeal was allowed and the appellant and his father were ordered to enter into a recognizance of }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 $100}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 12 months}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935  and further conditioned that the appellant was not to associate with the complainant.
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3968\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 JUDGE
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11479935 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037\charrsid11479935 
\par At Labasa,
\par 17th July, 1995.}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10570037 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16543004 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004 HAA0015J.95B}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16543004\charrsid16543004 
\par }}