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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA 082 OF 2002S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 ILAITIA TUWERE TURAGA \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2890188 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4154030 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 23rd October 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 25th October 2002 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Appellant in Person \par Ms L. Chandra with Ms S. Shah for State \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4154030 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030\charrsid4154030 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4154030 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par This is an appeal against the sentence of three years imprisonment imposed by the Suva Magistrate\rquote s Court for the offence of receiving stolen property. \par \par The Appellant was originally charged with the offence of housebreaking, entering and larceny contrary to section 300(a) of the Penal Code.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 However, after hearing the evidence at the trial, the learned Magistrate convicted instead of receiving stolen property contrary to section 313(1) of the Penal Code, on the basis that the Appellant was found in possession of stolen property.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 This, he was entitled to do, under section 180 of the Criminal Procedure Code.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The Appellant was sentenced to three years imprisonment. \par \par The Appellant appeals against sentence on the basis that undue weight was put on his previous convictions, and that the sentence was harsh and excessive. \par \par At the trial, the Appellant was unrepresented.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He had waived his right to counsel.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He pleaded not guilty.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Two co-defendants pleaded guilty and were each given suspended sentences on the ground that they were first offenders.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The trial commenced on 18th June 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The evidence was that one Mr Ding Di, a businessman of Ratu Mara Road, kept watches and other household items at his house, stored in packets.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 On 24th April 2002, he discovered that his house had been broken into, and a number of items missing.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Among them were watches to the value of $6000.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He later identified some items and about 200 watches as his, at the Nabua Police Station.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He also identified two bags which held these items. }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 On 25th Apri l 2002, PC Filipe Puamau was on patrol in Suva, when he saw the Appellant standing at the corner of the Metropole and Usher Street.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He searched him and found 6 watches inside his jacket pocket.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 They were new and still inside their plastic covering.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The App ellant told the Constable that the watches were from a break-in at Nabua and that the rest of the watches stolen were in a room at the King\rquote s Hotel.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He then showed the police where the other watches were, and handed them over.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The watches were in one of the bags that had been identified by Mr Ding.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The Appellant made a statement to the police in which he admitted to the breaking and entering of the house of Mr Ding.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 In his sworn evidence, the Appellant said that he had met his two friends (the co-defendants) on their return from breaking into the house of Mr Ding.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He went drinking with them at the Nasinu cemetery and then returned with them to the King\rquote s Hotel.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He said that he knew they had broken in and stolen items because he heard them talking about it, and was given a share of the proceeds.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He was convicted on the basis of these admissions. \par \par At the hearing of the appeal, the Appellant said that his conviction was unsafe because there were discrepancies in the prosecution evidence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Having perused the record, I find no such discrepancies.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 As to sentence, the Appellant said in mitigation that he wanted another chance, and expressed remorse.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 The learned Magistrate, after considering mitigation and the list of previous convictions considered that the Appellant should be given a custodial sentence. \par \par State counsel submitted that the sentence of three years imprisonment was right in principle and was within the tariff for offences of receiving stolen property, which is between three to five years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Indeed, she submitted that the sentence was lenient in the circumstances of this case. \par \par The Appellant has thirteen previous convictions, dating from November 1994.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 In nine years, the Appellant has committed several offences of burglary, robbery with violence and drug-related offences.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 He was therefore not entitled to the leniency shown to his co-defendants both of whom were first offenders.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Further, the offence of receiving stolen property calls for heavier sentences than larceny, because theft depends on receivers to be profitable.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 In the circumstances, the sentence of three years imprisonment was appropriate and quite right in principle.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 As to State counsel\rquote s invitation to enhance sentence, I consider that such enhancement might only be appropr iate if the sentence was so lenient that it was in effect, wrong in principle.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 I do not consider that this sentence falls into that category. \par \par The appeal against sentence is wholly dismissed. \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4154030 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4154030 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 JUDGE}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4154030 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9633825\charrsid4154030 \par At Suva \par 25th October 2002 \par }}