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Case No.: 1062 of 2002 \}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 BETWEEN:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 PITA TOKONIYAROI}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 APPELLANT}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 AND}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 :}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 THE STATE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 RESPONDENT}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 - }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 In Person \par Respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 - }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Mr. D Prasad}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620\charrsid9508620 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 \par On 13}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 May 2002 the appellant was convicted on his plea of guilty for the offence of THEFT FROM PERSON Contrary to Section 271 of the Penal Code Act 17. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 PITA TOKONIYAROI, on the 10}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 day of May, 2002 at Samabula in the Central Division, stole one lady\rquote s bag valued $30.00, one black purse valued $6.00 and cash $145.00 to the total value of $181.00 from the person of MALTI DEVI d/o Kaur Prasad.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The facts were that the complainant is aged thirty}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 three years, a machinist.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 She was returning home after shopping at Raiwaqa.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 At Namena Road, the appellant followed her and grabbed her bag and ran.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Time was about 7.00 p.m.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 A passerby in a taxi noticed this.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 He stopped the taxi, gave chase and caught the appellant with all the items. \par \par The appellant admitted the facts and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 He is appealing against his sentence on grounds it is excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 He said that all the items were recovered and he was kept in custody by the police for 60 hours.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Even through in his grounds of appeal he says he is the sole breadwinner of the family, at the hearing he said he is unemployed and lives with his parents.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The State is opposing the appeal and submitted that the sentence is proper.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Counsel for the state referred this Court to PONIASI SAULEKALEKA v. THE STATE \endash Criminal Appeal 50 of 2001 where the appellant had pleaded guilty to pickpocketing a tourist, and items were recovered, a sentence of two years imprisonment was reduced to ten months. \par \par In ROHEN KUMAR PERERA 1984 Crim. App. Report (S) the offender was sentenced to two years imprisonment for pickpocketing.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The sentence was upheld. \par \par In the present case the appellant was on bail pending trial for murder in Lautoka High Court at the time of commission of this offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 However, that is not a factor to be taken into consideration in sentencing here.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 It may be a good ground for revoking bail but that is for Lautoka Court to consider.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The appellant has five previous convictions including one for Larceny from person, one for burglary and one for theft from dwelling house.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The offence was committed at 7.00 p.m. when it is dark and on a woman who was alone.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The appellant appeared to follow her for a while. \par \par In his sentencing remarks the learned Magistrate referred to his guilty plea.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 However, he also went on to refer to one}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 third remission of sentence by prison authorities.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Remission is not a relevant factor to be taken into account in sentencing because it is an administrative decision whether to grant remission or not.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 Remission is not automatic; it has to be earned by good conduct.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 In JOSUA KANIA v. THE STATE \endash Criminal Appeal 63 of 2002 this issue of remission as a factor in sentencing has been discussed at length.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 It is wrong in principle to increase a sentence in anticipation of remission.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 So some adjustment to sentence is necessary. \par \par This was a fairly serious offence of theft from a helpless woman at night.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The appellant has three previous convictions for dishonesty.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 After considering all the factors, I consider a sentence of eighteen months imprisonment is just.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The appeal is successful.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 The appellant\rquote s sentence is reduced to eighteen months imprisonment with effect from 13}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 May 2002.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9508620 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 \{ Jiten Singh \} \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9508620 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 \par At Suva \par 19}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11743022\charrsid9508620 August 2002 \par }}