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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 TRAFFIC APPEAL NO. 18 OF 2000
\par (Nausori Traffic Case No. 3325 of 1999)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 ROZUN NISHA}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15748930 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 f/n Mohammed Hanif
\par Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892\charrsid4541892 And}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par Appellant in Person
\par Ms. R. Senikuraciri for State
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par The appellant was on 25 May and 24 August 1999 fined $100 and disqualified for 6 months from driving respectively by the Magistrate\rquote s Court at Nausori for the offence of exceeding speed}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 limit contrary to Para 7 of Nausori Traffic Order and Section (3) of the Traffic Act, Cap. 176.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Before disqualifying, Summons to Show Cause why she should not be disqualified was served on her but she did not appear.
\par 
\par The appellant now appeals against fine and disqualification as being harsh and excessive.
\par 
\par The facts are that the appellant on 29 March 1999 at Nausori drove a motor vehicle on King\rquote s Road, Koronivia at a speed of 87 Kmph such speed being excessive as the maximum speed permitted in the said area is 60 Kmph.
\par 
\par She pleaded guilty in writing.
\par 
\par When fining the learned Magistrate did not say why she is being fined the maximum permitted by law.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
The prosecution concedes that on the facts of this case the fine is excessive.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
I agree and it should be realized that the maximum sentence is reserved for the worst type of offence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
If it was intended to impose the maximum fine then the learned Magistrate should have given reason for doing so.
\par 
\par In the absence of full facts surrounding the commission of the offence the Court cannot allow the sentence of fine to stand without reducing it.
\par 
\par The appellant has been driving for 10 years and has no previous convictions.
\par 
\par Again when disqualifying the learned Magistrate did not give any reason for doing so.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
I would say that disqualification is dependent on the seriousness of the offence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
Disqualification is not warranted for merely exceeding the speed limit by 27 Kmph.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
There is nothing to indicate that this was a serious offence or one which was at the top of the range requiring disqualification.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 As }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Pain J}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892  said in }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Shyam Vedh v The State}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892  Crim. App. 102/97 }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
in this case the Appellant was served with a notice to attend the Magistrate\rquote s court which is usually reserved for less serious cases.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 It was served on the same day as the offence was committed.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
For a serious driving breach, a summons would be expected after a full police investigation}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 .}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par 
\par The facts as outlined to Court was very much inadequate to indicate the degree of seriousness of the offence.
\par 
\par The Prosecution and Magistrates ought to bear in mind when dealing with offences of this nature the following words of}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Pain J}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892  in }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Vedh}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892  (supra):
\par  
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 \lquote 
It is worth stating again that for the purposes of sentencing it beholds prosecutors to present and magistrates to obtain proper facts.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
A proper sentence is one that is appropriate for the fact of the case.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Such a sentence cannot be imposed unless full facts are given
\rquote }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par For these reasons, in all the circumstances of this case, the disqualification will be quashed.
\par 
\par Accordingly, the appeal is allowed to the extent that the sentence of}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 fine i
s reduced to $50.00 and disqualification for 6 months imposed in the Magistrate\rquote s Court is quashed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
The excess fine if paid is ordered to be refunded to the appellant.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 D. Pathik}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 Judge}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4541892 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4541892\charrsid4541892 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13907364\charrsid4541892 At Suva
\par 15 May 2000 
\par }}