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blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo3\dy29\hr10\min39}{\revtim\yr2006\mo3\dy29\hr10\min39}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages2} {\nofwords555}{\nofchars3168}{\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws3716}{\vern16391}}\margl1440\margr1440 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\notabind\wraptrsp\transmf\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\truncatefontheight\subfontbysize\sprsbsp\wpjst\lytprtmet\hyphcaps0\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot7935643 \fet0\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid7935643\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid14366551 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}} {\field{\*\fldinst {\insrsid14366551 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid14366551 2}}}{\insrsid14366551 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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 0038 OF 2002L}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 ATIL SHARMA \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 f/n Vishwa Ram Sharma \par Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 Hearing: }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 22}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 nd}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 August 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 27}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 August 2002 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Appellant in Person \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Mr. P. Bulamainaivalu for State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The Appellant appeals against his sentence of 2 years imprisonment in respect of the following charge: \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Statement of Offence}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENCE}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 : Contrary to section 309(a) of the Penal Code, Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Particulars of Offence}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 ATIL SHARMA s/o VISHWA RAM SHARMA between 4}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 day of January, 2001 and 5}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 day of January, 2001 at Lautoka in the Western Division, with intent to defraud, obtained $1,575.00 in cash from Irene Madhu Lata d/o Gaya Prasad b y falsely pretending that he was a boss of an exporting company and that he will arrange a job as a personal secretary in his company, which in fact was false. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par The case was first called in the Lautoka Magistrate}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 s Court on 12}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 March 2001.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The Appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He was not represented.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He was remanded in custody until the 2}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 of April 2001, when he was bailed to appear on the hearing date.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He did not appear, and a bench warrant was issued.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He was arrested on the 1}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 st}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 of February and brought to court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He pleaded guilty to the charge. \par \par The facts as read by the prosecution were that the complainant was looking for a job on 4}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 January 2001, at the New World Supermarket in Lautoka.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The Appellant approached her and told her that he would give her a job as a personal secretary and that she would have to pay $1575.00 to him as a bond for lawyer}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}} }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 s fees, and to cover the cost of identification cards and a uniform.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The complainant withdrew $800.00 from her bank account and gave it to the Appellant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The following day, she gave him the balance.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 She later became suspicious, and reported him to the police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The Appellant was interviewed by the police and he admitted taking the money by false pretences.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The money was not recovered. \par \par The Appellant admitted 20 previous convictions, all for similar offences.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 In mitigation he said that he was a 35 year old school teacher, that he had changed his life, that he was newly married and had become a born}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 -}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 again Christian. \par \par The learned Magistrate sentenced the Appellant to 2 years imprisonment, consecutive to his existing terms of imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He said that the court had shown him leniency in the past, and he had continued to re}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 -}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 offend.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 In this case, he had taken advantage of a woman who had lost all her savings because of his unscrupulous activities. \par \par The Appellant now appeals on the ground that the sentence was harsh, and that other offenders had received lighter sentences. \par \par The maximum sentence for an offence under section 309(a) of the Penal Code is five years imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The facts of this case show a deliberate and calculated act of defrauding a credulous woman who was desperate for employment and who gave him a large sum of money believing that he was going to employ her.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 The facts of the case called for an immediate custodial sentence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Further with his long list of previous conviction for offences of fraud, the Appellant was not entitled to the leniency which might have been extended to a person of good character.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 He was fortunate to receive a two year sentence, even after discount for the guilty plea.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Further, the 18 month term that he is serving, which was imposed in August 2001 by the Nadi Magistrate}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f36\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 s Court, is already almost served.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 An additional 2 years, given the nature and seriousness of the offending, does not offend the totality principle. \par \par The appeal against sentence is wholly dismissed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 JUDGE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9118267 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 \par At Suva \par 27}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7935643\charrsid9118267 August 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9118267 \par }}