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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LABASA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9073467 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 HAA00}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 11 OF 2002
\par (Labasa Mag. Ct. Crim. Case No. 1 of 2002)
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9073467 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 INOKE DILEQA
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 Appellant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9073467 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 Appellant in Person
\par Mr. J. Rabuku for the State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9073467 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 JUDGMENT}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467\charrsid9073467 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 This is an appeal against sentence and it is lodged on the grounds that it is harsh and excessive.
\par 
\par The appellant was on 7 January 2002 sentenced by the learned Resident Magistrate (Maika Nakora Esq.,) Labasa to nine months}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols"
 \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467  imprisonment for the offence of }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467  contrary to }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 section 224(a) }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 of the }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 Penal Code Cap 17}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 .
\par 
\par The appellant had on 31 December 2001 at Labasa unlawfully wounded the complainant Marika Niumataiwalu with a cane knife.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 
The complainant received extensive injuries as shown in the Medical Report on him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 
The appellant also received some injuries as a result of the scuffle in which the complainant tried to release himself from the appellant.
\par 
\par The learned Counsel for the State opposed the appeal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 He said that
 on the facts and circumstances of this case where a cane knife was used the sentence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073946  is neither harsh nor excessive}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 .}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 This incident arose due to overindulgence in alcohol and what actually happened could have resulted in someone}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 s death.
\par 
\par There is no merit in the appeal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 
Drink is no excuse for committing an offence and in this case a cane knife was used on the complainant resulting in severe injuries which could have resulted in death.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 This was a serious offence and the sentence of nine months}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols"
 \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467  imprisonment is not a day too long and if anything, it is on the low side.
\par 
\par The appeal is therefore dismissed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9073467 
\par 
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\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 Judge}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 
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\par At Labasa
\par 20 May 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6303916\charrsid9073467 
\par }}