{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f173\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f174\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f176\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f177\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;} {\f178\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f179\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f180\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f181\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);} {\f183\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f184\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f186\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}{\f187\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f188\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);} {\f189\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f190\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f191\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (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 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\s1\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{\s2\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\s4\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 4;}{\s5\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel4\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 5;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\* \ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\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\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Body Text;}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 header;}{\*\cs17 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid731754\rsid10043028\rsid11499716}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info {\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author High Court Suva}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo3\dy29\hr13\min55}{\revtim\yr2006\mo3\dy29\hr13\min55}{\printim\yr2002\mo7\dy16\hr14\min44}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords551}{\nofchars3143} {\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws3687}{\vern16391}}\margr1728\margb720 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot10043028 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid731754 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid11499716 2}}}{\cs17\insrsid731754 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid731754 \par }}{\*\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 \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 CRIMINAL CASE NO.: HAA}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 0}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 046 OF 2002 \par \{Suva Magistrate\rquote s }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11499716 Court Crim. Case No.: 3 of 2002}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 \}}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 BETWEEN:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 ASAELI BALEISUVA}{ \b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 APPLICANT}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 AND}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 :}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 THE STATE}{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 RESPONDENT}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 Appellant}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 - }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 In Person \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 Respondent - }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 Mr. N Nand}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 Hearing}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 - }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 3rd July 2002 \par Judgment}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 - }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 17th July 2002}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028\charrsid10043028 \par \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 \par }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 BACKGROUND \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The appellant was convicted on his plea of guilty to the offence of SHOPBREAKING ENTERING AND LARCENY Contrary to Section 300(a) of the Penal Code, Cap. 17 and sentenced to two ye ars imprisonment. \par \par The particulars of offence are that ASAELI BALEISUVA between the 14}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 th}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 day of April 2001 and the 15}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 th}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 day of April 2001 at Nasau, Koro in the Eastern Division broke and entered the shop of WATISONI KAITANI and stole therein 3 gross of Pal l Mall (20) valued at $97.00, I gross of Pall Mall (20) valued at $42.00, 1 dozen can of Impulse body spray valued at $50.40, 1 dozen bottle of hairfeed cream valued at $60.00, 6 can of cool charm valued at $23.70, 10 tins of corned beef valued at $30.00 with $610.00 in cash to the total value of $912.10 the property of WATISONI KAITANI. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 \par The appellant says that the sentence of two years imprisonment is harsh and excessive as he is a first offender.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 He is married with three children. \par \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 FACTS \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The complainant is a shopkeeper on the island of Koro.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The complainant locked his shop and went home.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 During the night the appellant broke the side of the shop, entered and stole cash and various items.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The appellant went away to Vanua Levu and was located some eleven months later. \par \par None of the property was recovered.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 On appeal the appellant said he used the money to buy drinks.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The shopkeeper therefore remains uncompensated for his loss. \par \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 SENTENCE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 In his sentencing remarks the learned Magistrate expressed disappointment at the fact that the appellant had run away to Vanua Levu to evade detection and arrest.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 He also said that the complainant was deprived of the hard}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 -}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 earned property and members of the community would be affected. \par \par The above comments of the Magistrate are understandable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The shop was on the island of Koro.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 There are only three shops on the island according to the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 These shopkeepers travel to Suva to get what they want to sell.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 By breaking into one of the three shops and removing items and $610.00 c ash, the appellant had by his conduct virtually disabled as it were one of the shops thereby placing the entire community at a great deal of inconvenience. \par \par The complainant\rquote s shop is a small village shop and for him $912.10 is a substantial loss.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 There are no banks on the island so people are forced to keep money with themselves.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 Further there is lack of law enforcement agencies on the island so people should not be allowed to take advantage of these shortcomings. \par \par The appellant broke the side of the shop so some damage must have been caused to the shop as well.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 He ran away to Vanua Levu in his attempt to evade detection.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 None of the properties was recovered. \par \par All cases of breaking and entering encompass an element of dishonesty as well as an utter disregard for other\rquote s property.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 In a small island situation a shopkeeper provides a useful public service.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 Hence this breaking has to be seen in a different light from that of a shop breaking in a town where customers have ready access to other shops. \par \par The learned Magistrate considered a three}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 year sentence as a starting point but reduced it to two years in light of mitigating factors.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The offence carries a maximum penalty of fourteen years.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 In the circumstances of this case, I do not consider a sentence of two years imprisonment as harsh and excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 The appeal is dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10043028 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 \{ Jiten Singh \} \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10043028 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid731754\charrsid10043028 \par At Suva \par 17th July 2002 \par }}