{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}
{\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f37\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f38\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f40\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}
{\f41\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f42\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f43\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f44\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}
{\f45\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f57\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f58\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f60\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}
{\f61\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f62\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);}{\f63\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f64\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}
{\f65\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;
\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\s1\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\b\f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{\s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 
\sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden 
Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Body Text;}{\s16\qj \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 
Body Text 2;}{\s17\qj \li1440\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin1440\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext17 Block Text;}{
\s18\qj \li0\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext18 Body Text 2;}}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-555832180\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc0
\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid2022207760\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fbias0 \fi-720\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0
\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'01.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0
\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'02.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li2520\jclisttab\tx2520\lin2520 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext
\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'03.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3240\jclisttab\tx3240\lin3240 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713
\'02\'04.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3960\jclisttab\tx3960\lin3960 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'05.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li4680
\jclisttab\tx4680\lin4680 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'06.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li5400\jclisttab\tx5400\lin5400 }{\listlevel
\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'07.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li6120\jclisttab\tx6120\lin6120 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2
\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'08.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li6840\jclisttab\tx6840\lin6840 }{\listname ;}\listid295113162}{\list\listtemplateid-1298356548\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc0
\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid-360125404\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fbias0 \fi-720\li2160\jclisttab\tx2160\lin2160 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0
\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'01.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li2520\jclisttab\tx2520\lin2520 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0
\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'02.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li3240\jclisttab\tx3240\lin3240 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext
\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'03.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3960\jclisttab\tx3960\lin3960 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713
\'02\'04.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li4680\jclisttab\tx4680\lin4680 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'05.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li5400
\jclisttab\tx5400\lin5400 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'06.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li6120\jclisttab\tx6120\lin6120 }{\listlevel
\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'07.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li6840\jclisttab\tx6840\lin6840 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2
\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'08.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li7560\jclisttab\tx7560\lin7560 }{\listname ;}\listid481387969}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid481387969
\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid295113162\listoverridecount0\ls2}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid4983939\rsid11411914\rsid11499508\rsid11760132\rsid14168866}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.4219;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author stirikula}
{\operator ehndvaun_d}{\creatim\yr2003\mo7\dy29\hr14\min41}{\revtim\yr2003\mo7\dy29\hr14\min41}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages1}{\nofwords1437}{\nofchars8192}{\*\company Director of Public Prosecutions}{\nofcharsws9610}{\vern16469}}
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1
\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\rsidroot14168866 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1
\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5
\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866\charrsid14168866 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866\charrsid14168866 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. HAA 033 OF 2001
\par 
\par BETWEEN:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 JIOJI AUNIMA
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Appellant
\par 
\par AND:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 THE STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par Mr N. Shivam for Appellant
\par Ms S. Shah for Respondent
\par 
\par Hearing: 22}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  June 2001
\par Judgment: 27}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  June 2001
\par 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
This is an appeal against sentence, in respect of a term of three years and four months imprisonment imposed on the Appellant for the following charge:
\par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Statement of Offence
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 ATTEMPTED RAPE
}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 : contrary for Section 151 of the Penal Code, Act 17.
\par }\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Particulars of Offence
\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 JIOJI AUNIMA on the 16}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 th}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 day of March, 2001 at Nasinu in the Central Division, attempted to have unlawful carnal knowledge of RAIJIELI AKANISI without her consent.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 The appeal was against conviction and sentence, but at the hearing of the appeal, counsel proceeded with the appeal against sentence only.
\par 
\par The facts of the case, as outlined by the prosecution were that on the 16}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 of March 2001 at about 7.30pm, the victim was on her way to visit her cousin when she met the Appellant
. He told her he know of a pastor on Khalsa Road, who sold second-hand clothes. She accompanied him, and when they passed a vacant house, the Appellant grabbed her, and forced her to lie on the ground. He then pulled her panties down to her knees. She yel
led out, and a Fijian man passing by, came to her rescue. He took the Appellant to the police station where he admitted committing the offence.
\par 
\par These facts were admitted by the Appellant in the Magistrate\rquote s Court and he was convicted as charged.
\par 
\par In mitigation he said he was 25 years old, married, had one son and was employed as a carpenter at Falekau Industries. He expressed remorse and asked for a non custodial sentence. He has one previous conviction on 22}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  October 1996, for larceny.
\par 
\par In his sentence remarks the learned Magistrate said the maximum sentence for Attempted Rape was 7 years imprisonment and that the starting point should therefore be 5}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 years imprisonment. The Appellant was given one-third discount for the guilty plea and the sentence passed was therefore three years and four months imprisonment.
\par 
\par At the hearing of this appeal, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the starting point of five years imprisonment was wrong in principle. He said that the tariff for attempted rape in Fiji was co
nsiderable less than five years and suggested that the correct starting point should have been twenty-one months as it was in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Vereniki Marawa \endash v- The State}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  Criminal Appeal No. 018 of 1998.
\par 
\par State Counsel opposed the appeal saying that }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid11499508 Vereniki Marawa}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  (supr
a) was distinguishable, and that because this was a serious case of Attempted Rape, the starting point of five years imprisonment was right in principle.
\par 
\par A tariff sentence is usually passed where the court recognises the need to deterrent sentence. The ra
nge of sentences that make up the tariff for a particular offence, is usually determined by the courts. The maximum statutory sentence is not always a good indication of what the tariff might be, because the legislature often sets a statutory maximum far 
in excess of an appropriate term, in order to give the court a wide discretion for sentencing. In most case, the statutory maximum sentence would only be appropriate for the worst type of offending.
\par 
\par The range of sentence which indicate the tariff is easily discernable from the reported cases for a particular type of offending. The decision for the sentence is then to decide on the appropriate starting point. D.A. Thomas }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Principles of Sentencing}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  says (at page 38): 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 This process is governed primarily by c
oncepts of proportion, the relative seriousness of the offence as an instance of its kind, and arguments based on deterrence are not permitted to override this factor. What may be considered the average offence of its kind is place near the middle of the 
range; as in the case of statutory maxima, room must be left within the effective range to deal with the most serious exa}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 mples likely to be encountered."}{
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
In the absence of guideline judgments which set out the tariff for particular types of offending, it is not always easy to recognize the tariff established by the courts. This is because, much of the sentencing, which is done in the Magistrate\rquote 
s Courts, is not always available to the High Court or the Court of Appeal. In this case both counsel have submitted those authorities they were able to obtain and they are useful as an indication of a tariff for Attempted Rape.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par In }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Vereniki Marawa \endash v- The State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 (supra) Surman J quashed a suspended sentence passed by a magistrate, on appeal by the State and substitute
d a term of twelve months imprisonment. He adopted a starting point of twenty-one months imprisonment, saying that the case was not the most serious of its kind. Indeed in outlining the facts, which were that the accused had accosted and 18 year old girl,
 pressed her neck, pulled down his pants said he wanted to have sex with her, his Lordship said that the case was really a }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
borderline case}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  of Attempted Rape. He said it was arguable that the accused should really have been charged with indecent Assault.
\par 
\par In}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866  }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Latchman Prasad Sharma \endash v- The State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 Criminal Appeal No. 0027 of 1997, Pain J considered a sentence of 4 years imprisonment for Attempted Rape, after a defending hearing. The evidence was that the victim was 12 years old, the Appellant had tried to pene
trate her vagina but could not, and he performed other degrading acts on her. There was an element of breach of trust and some subterfuge employed by the Appellant. He had previous convictions for similar offences. Pain J refused to reduce the sentence, s
aying, at page 6:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
Substantial prison sentences are common for this offence. Sentence of 3 \'bd years imprisonment have been confirmed in this court in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Epeli Ratabacaca \endash v- The State}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  (Crim. App. No. 106 of 1991) and }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Watisoni Davui \endash v- The State}{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  (Crim. App. No. 10 of 1997)}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 In }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Watisoni Davui \endash v- The State}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 (supra) the Appellant had punched the victim, taken her to a cassava patch, thrown her to the ground, assaulted her again and pulled down her pants before getting on top of her. He was sentenced, after a defended hearing to 3 \'bd
 years imprisonment. Pain J upheld the sentence saying there was only a fine line between the attempt and the completed offence. He said that 3 \'bd years imprisonment was within the acceptable range.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 In }{
\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Epeli Ratabacaca \endash v- The State}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  (supra) a sentence of 3 \'bd
 years imprisonment for Attempted Rape was upheld by Jayaratne J on appeal from a defended hearing. The facts of the case are not set out in the judgment, but the charge was originally one of Rape, and the Appellant was a first offender.
\par 
\par Counsel also referred to English authorities on sentences for Attempted Rape. However, the tariff in Englan}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 d}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 is not strictly comparable because the statutory maximum sentence for Attempted Rape is life imprisonment under section 3 (Schedule 2, para 1(}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11499508 a)}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 ) of the Sexual Offences Act 1985.
\par 
\par However, the guidelines issued by the Court of Appeal in }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11499508 R -}{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 v- Billam}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  82 Cr. App. R. 347 are helpful as to what factors may constitute aggravating or mitigation facto}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 r}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 s. Aggravating factors are:
\par 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s18\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid14168866 {
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Violence used over and above the force necessary to commit the offence;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}The use of weapons;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}Repeated rapes
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}Planning
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}Previous convictions for sexual offences;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 6.\tab}The victim was subjected to further sexual indignities;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 7.\tab}The victim was very old or very young;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 8.\tab}The trauma suffered and the effect on the victim was especially serious.
\par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Mitigation features include:
\par 
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s18\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid14168866 {
\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 Previous good charac}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 ter;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\s18 \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}Guilty plea.
\par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 It was held in }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Billam}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 that the starting point for Attempted Rape should normally be less that for the completed offence, especially if the
 offender was stopped at an early stage. However in some cases, the sentence for Attempted Rape could be heavier that some examples of the completed offence.
\par 
\par Thus in }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 R \endash v- Behich}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  (1986) 8 Cr. App. R(s) 387 a sentence of seven years imprisonment for Attemp
ted Rape was upheld where there was a serious degree of violence. In }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 R \endash v- Williams}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
 (1987) 9 Cr. App. R(s) 491, on facts similar to this case before me, a sentence of five years imprisonment was reduced to four years.
\par 
\par Applying all these principles, I find that the accepted tariff for Attempted Rape in the Fiji Courts ranges from 12 months imprisonment to 5 years imprisonment. A starting point should then be chosen according to the seriousness of the offending.
\par 
\par In the case before me, a starting point of 5 
years imprisonment was not appropriate. This was not the most serious offence of its kind. There was no evidence of injuries, extreme youth or age of the victim, or of the use of weapons or gratuitous violence. However, it was clearly not the least seriou
s
 of its kind, which might have justified the lowest starting point. The Appellant used subterfuge to lure the victim to a vacant house, he deliberately referred to a pastor to gain her confidence, he would have completed the offence if he had not been dis
turbed, and he used force to get the victim to lei down pulling her panties down to her knees. This was not a }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 borderline}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14168866 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  indecent assault.
\par 
\par As such I consider a starting point of 4 years imprisonment to be appropriate. The Appellant was entitled to a redu
ction for his guilty plea of one year, but was not entitled to any further reduction for good character. In all the circumstances, I consider a sentence of 3 years imprisonment to be appropriate.
\par 
\par The sentence of 3 years and 4 months imprisonment is quashed and substituted with a term of 3 years imprisonment.
\par 
\par The appeal is successful to that extent.
\par 
\par }\pard \s18\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 JUDGE
\par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 
\par At Suva
\par 27}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 th}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866  June 2001
\par 
\par }\pard \s18\qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14168866 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11411914\charrsid14168866 HAC0033J.01S
\par }}