{\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;} {\f38\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f39\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f41\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f42\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;} {\f43\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f44\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f45\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f46\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);} {\f48\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f49\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f51\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}{\f52\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f53\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);} {\f54\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f55\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f56\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\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 4;}{\*\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;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid8675416\rsid11626465}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info {\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author High Court Suva}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo3\dy30\hr8\min47}{\revtim\yr2006\mo3\dy30\hr8\min47}{\printim\yr2002\mo8\dy14\hr8\min32}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords453}{\nofchars2586} {\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws3033}{\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\rsidroot11626465 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\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\pararsid11626465 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.: HAA0067 OF 2002 \par \{ Nausori Magistrate\rquote s Court Crim. Case No.: 330 of 2002 \} \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 BETWEEN: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 ISOA CODROKADROKA \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 APPELLANT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 AND: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 THE STATE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 RESPONDENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par Appellant - In Person \par Respondent - Mr. D Prasad \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par On 25}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 June 2002 the appellant on his plea of guilty was convicted and sentenced to two and half years imprisonment for the offence of LARCENY Contrary to Section 262 and 269 of the Penal Code by the Nausori Magistrate\rquote s Court. \par \par The brief facts were that a tourist from New Zealand had got on a bus at Rakiraki to travel to Suva.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 He placed his baggage in the side carrier of the bus.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 When he reached Suva he found his baggage missing.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The total value of missing items was $3638.00.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 It included his passport and a heart beat monitor. \par \par The matter was reported to police.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The items valued $3438 were recovered from accused\rquote s house at Wainibuka. \par \par The appellant has twenty previous convictions going back to 1979.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The learned Magistrate in his sen tencing remarks referred to appellant\rquote s lack of interest in reforming himself and the consequences his acts could have on tourism.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Those remarks are very apt indeed. \par \par The learned Magistrate however made no reference to the accused\rquote s guilty plea or to the fact that the majority of the items have been recovered.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 These are significant mitigating factors when one is sentencing in a case such as this. \par \par An accused who is sentenced is entitled to know the reasons behind the sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 In the present case he would b e left with the impression that his guilty plea and recovery of items was not taken into reckoning in sentencing him. \par \par In }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Iqbal Koya v. The State}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \endash Criminal Appeal }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 HAA00}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 48 of 1999 at Labasa and }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 James Stolz & Others v. The State}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \endash Criminal Appeal }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 HAA00}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 50 of 1999 at Labasa Justice Fatiaki as he then was referred to lack of reference to the plea of guilty among other things as a reason for his reducing sentences in those two cases. \par \par The circumstances of the offence are serious.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The appellant struck at the heart of a common mode of transport in Fiji.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Large number of people in Fiji travel by buses after placing their baggage in side carriers, which are normally open.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 It is impossible to keep an eye all the time on one\rquote s baggage.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The appellant took advantage of an unsuspecting tourist to remove his baggage and cause him inconvenience and resulting anxiety.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Had the learned Magistrate referred to the plea of guilty and recovery of items this Court would not have been minded to review the sentence.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 However, in the ab sence of such reference I assume the learned Magistrate overlooked two relevant material factors in sentencing the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Hence some adjustment to the sentence is inevitable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 Accordingly the sentence of two and a half (2}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\sub\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 2}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 ) years imprisonment is set aside and substituted with one of one and a half (1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 1}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\sub\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 2}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 ) years imprisonment.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 The appellant is sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment with effect from 25}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 of June 2002.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \{ Jiten Singh \} \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11626465 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 \par At Suva \par 9}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465\charrsid11626465 August 2002}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11626465 \par }}