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sam_f}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy19\hr8\min33}{\revtim\yr2009\mo2\dy9\hr9\min19}{\version4}{\edmins5} {\nofpages3}{\nofwords698}{\nofchars3982}{\nofcharsws4671}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1440\margr1440\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\notabind\wraptrsp\transmf\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\truncatefontheight\subfontbysize\sprsbsp\wpjst\lytprtmet\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot6566341 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid6566341\sftnbj {\headerr \pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6566341 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\field{\*\fldinst { \insrsid6566341 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid2972598 3}}}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\insrsid6566341 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\insrsid6566341 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6566341 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6566341 \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 \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA 83 OF 2002S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 WAME RATUBELO \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 22nd November 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 25th November 2002 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Mr R. Singh for State \par Appellant in Person \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 JUDGMENT}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par The Appellant was charged, on three separate files, with the following offences: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Cr. Case No: 63/02}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Statement of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 BURGLARY}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 : Contrary to section 299(a) and }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 LARCENY FROM DWELLING HOUSE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 : Contrary to section 270(a) of the Penal Code, Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx270\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Particulars of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 GEORGE BYRON BECHU and WAME RATUBELO, on the 7th day of June 2002 at Levuka in the E astern Division by night broke and entered the dwelling house of Alvis Kumar s/o Ashok Kumar with intent to steal therein and did steal therein one tabua valued $200.00, one Sony radio valued $80.00, six bottles of beer (L) valued $19.20, one kilogram of kasa valued $3.00, 1 pair of black shoes valued $40.00, one level valued $75.00, one handsaw valued $15.00, all to the total value of $432.00, the property of Alvis Kumar s/o Ashok Kumar. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Cr. Case No. 69/02 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Statement of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 BURGLARY}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 : Contrary to sect ion 299(a) and }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 LARCENY}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 : Contrary to section 270 of the Penal Code, Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Particulars of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1350\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1350\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 WAME RATUBELO on the 5th day of June, 2002 at Levuka in the Eastern Division by night broke into the dwelling house of Alvis Kumar s/o Ashok Kumar and stol e therein one and half kg waka valued $22.00, one and half kg lewena valued $15.00 and $30.00 cash to the total value of $67.00 the property of the said Alvis Kumar s/o Ashok Kumar. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Cr. Case No. 77/02 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Statement of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 HOUSE BREAKING ENTERING AND LARCENY}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 : Contrary to section 300(a) of the Penal Code, Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Particulars of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 GEORGE BAIREN BECHU and WAME RATUBELO on the 19th day of February, 2002 at Levuka in the Eastern Division broke and entered the dwelling ho use of Suresh Prasad s/o Ramesh Prasad and stole therein a calculator valued $15.00, a soccer boot valued $25.00, and cash $10.00 to the total value of $50.00 the property of Suresh Prasad s/o Ramesh Prasad. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par He pleaded guilty on all counts.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The facts were similar on each count.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The Appellant, with others broke into each house by removing louvre blades.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The only property recovered was the property on Cr. Case No. 69 of 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The Appellant was 18 years old and a first offender.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 He was sentenced on each file to 3 years imprisonment, to be served concurrently. \par \par He now appeals against sentence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 He made a half-hearted attempt to challenge his conviction on the ground that he was unrepresented.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 However, the record shows that he clearly waived his right to counsel, and that he was not prejudiced in any way by lack of representation. \par \par The Appellant submits that he was a first offender, that the property was recovered and that he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 State Counsel opposes the appeal, saying that the seriousness and prevalence of the offences outweighed the Appellant\rquote s previous good character and youth. \par \par The sentencing remarks of the learned Magistrate do not indicate a tariff, or starting point.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Nor do they show that he took into account the mitigation. \par \par As I said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Dravere Ledua -v- State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Crim. Ap. No. HAA 014 of 2002, the tariff for house breaking and larceny offences is from 2 to 3 years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The offences on each file were not the most serious of this type of offending, and therefore a starting point of 2 years might have been reasonable.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Aggravating features were the fact that items on two counts were not recovered, and that the value was in the range of $1000.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 An increase of 6 months might have resulted.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 A considerable discount should then have been given for youth, good character and the plea of guilty, perhaps in the range of 18 months.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 We would then be left with 1 years imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Consideration should then be given to a suspension of the sentence.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The Appellant is a farmer of Rukuruku Village.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 It is not disputed that he was not the ringleader in the series of break-ins, or that he did not benefit substantially from the offences.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Further, I have said before, and will continue to say, that anxious consideration should be given to giving non-custodial sentences to the young offender, to give him a chance of rehabilitation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 The Appellant has now served 5 months in custody.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 That term of imprisonment, will I hope serve as a salutary lesson to him about the consequences of criminal behaviour. \par \par In all the circumstances, I find that the 3 year term on each count was manifestly excessive.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 I quash it and substitute it with a term of 1 year, suspended for 18 months. \par \par This appeal succeeds.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6436506\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 JUDGE}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6436506 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6566341\charrsid6436506 \par At Suva \par 25th November 2002 \par }}