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{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1063}{\nofchars6064}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws7113}{\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\rsidroot3282558 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs19\insrsid13452330 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs19\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid13452330 4}}}{\cs19\insrsid13452330 \par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13452330 \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 \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 CRIMINAL APPEAL No.: HAM0022 OF 2002 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 BETWEEN: \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 WAISAKE BULEWA \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 APPELLANT \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 AND: \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 THE STATE \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 RESPONDENT \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par Appellant}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 - }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 In Person \par Respondent - Mr. N Nand \par \par Hearing: 2nd July 2002 \par Judgment: 10th July 2002 \par \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 \par }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 BACKGROUND}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 : \par \par The appellant was charged with two others of the offence of ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE Contrary to Section 293(1)(b) of the Penal Code Cap 17 and convicted for the lesser offence of Receiving Stolen Property and sentenced to three years i mprisonment by Suva Magistrates\rquote Court. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par The details of charge are as follows}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 : \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 EMASI SOMUMU, JOJI VEIQUWA }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 and }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 WAISAKE BULEWA }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 and another on the 11}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 day of December 2000 at Suva in the Central Division robbed SAMSON SUSAU GARISAU o f cash $20,862.75 and cheques valued $1,618.75 to the total value of $22,481.50 the property of FIJI CENTER (USP) and immediately after such robbery used personal violence on the said SAMSON SUSAU GARISAU. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par The appellant was not represented in the Magistrates\rquote Court and remained unrepresented in the appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The lack of legal representation did not appear to embarrass him or cause him prejudice in any way as he cross}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 examined those witnesses who implicated him quite thoroughly.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 He prepared his own grounds of appeal and which are quite lengthy and repetitive but essentially they say \endash \par \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 (1)\tab that conviction for receiving stolen property is erroneous because the prosecution failed to prove that the appellant knew that the property was stolen. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 (2)\tab that evidence against him was circumstantial only. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s16 \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (3)\tab}}\pard\plain \s16\ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls2\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart3\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3282558 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 that the learned Magistrate erred in law and in fact in convicting him of receiving stolen property. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par When the hearing commenced in Magistrates\rquote Court the second accused pleaded guilty after evidence of first prosecution witness was heard.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 He was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The trial proceeded in respect of first accused and the third accused who is the appellant. \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 FACTS}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 : \par \par On 11}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 December 2000 a robbery occurred at USP Fiji Centr}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 . The offenders took away a money box containing cash and cheques. \par \par The appellant had denied participating in the robbery in his interview notes.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 None of the prosecution witness identified him as the person who actually robbed. \par \par The evidence against the appellant was given from two sources PW5 Fulori Buli who was at the material time appellant\rquote s girlfriend.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Her testimony was the appellant brought a cash box covered by a cloth.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Others came and money was shared.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 She saw appellant touching the money and taking his share of money.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 That cash box was left in her house and a day later the appellant told her to throw the box away.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The moneybox was retrieved by the police. \par \par The appellant\rquote s own witness JOJI VEIQUWA also placed the appellant at the place where money was shared and said appellant received money.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The amount appellant received is not disclosed. \par \par The accused had brought an alibi witness.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 He himself elected to remain silent. \par \par The issue therefore was mainly of credibility. \par \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 FINDINGS OF MAGISTRATE}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 : \par \par The learned Magistrate having looked at the evidence quite rightly found the appellant not guilty of robbery.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 He believed the prosecution witness PW5 and having looked at the evidence found that the appellant shared the money that was stolen and that the appellant knew when taking the money that it was stolen. \par \par The learned Magistrate was quite entitled to make these findings and there is no reason why I should disturb those findings of fact.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 There was direct evidence here not circumstantial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 \par \par }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 CONVICTION FOR LESSER OFFENCE}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 : \par \par The real issue before this court is whether on a charge of Robbery with Violence, a person can be convicted for Receiving Stolen Property. \par \par The learned Magistrate applied Section 169(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) in taking this course of action. \par \par Section 162(2) of the CPC reads as follows}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3282558 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 "}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 When a person is charged with an offence and facts are proved which reduce it to a minor offence, he may be convicted of the minor offence although he was not charged with it.}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 "}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par The court is given discretion to convict for the minor offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The key words are }{ \fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 MAY BE CONVICTED}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 not }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 shall be convicted}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The court would before convicting consider whether the accused was in any way prejudiced or disadvantaged in the conduct of his trial or failed to direct his mind to the consideration of the minor offence. \par \par Accused persons come to court to contest the charge which is on the indictment and they may be disadvantaged if they find that they have to meet an allegation that they have committed another offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Judges must protect accused person in such circumstances \endash }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 R. v. Lillis}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 1972 2 All E. R. 1209 where the issue was whether on a charge of burglary the accused could be convicted of theft outside the building. \par \par Unless there is some prejudice caused or an accused disadvantaged in any way in the conduct of his trial, the conviction for minor offence would be upheld. \par \par Robbery with violence involves taking away a person\rquote s property without his consent by intimidating a person by using force.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The two elements of robbery with violence are theft and assault.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 So a person charged with Robbery with Violence can either be convicted for larceny if no force or intimidation is proved or assault if no property is taken as in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Pio Nawaqabuli v. Reginam }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 23 FLR 165. \par \par Section 181 of the Criminal Procedure Code is a further enabling section which provides that when a person is charged with stealing and facts are proved that he received the item knowing it to be stolen he may be convicted for receiving stolen property. \par \par The appellant had cross}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 examined the prosecution witness PW5 FULORI BULI at length about circumstances in which he came to receive the money.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 He was not disadvantaged in any way.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 No prejudice was caused to the appellant by the learned Magistrate convicting him of receiving stolen property. \par \par In }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Hari Prasad and Bhawar Singh v. Reginam}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 1981 27 FLR 80 the Fiji Court of Appeal discussed Section 169(2) then Section 163(2) of CPC albeit briefly and concluded that \endash \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3282558 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 "}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 Section 163(2) makes it clear that there is no necessity to file an alternative charge alleging some factor which does not apply to the original charge if the facts proved definitely establish that some lesser offence has been committed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 " \par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 SENTENCE}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 : \par \par Next I come to sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The co}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 -}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 accused who was convicted for robbery with violence was sentenced to five years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The appellant was convicted for a lesser offence as found by the learned Magistrate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 However in his sentencing remarks he said }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 I was thinking of a five years prison sentence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 which is same length of sentence for the co}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 accused who was convicted for a more serious offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The starting point therefore cannot be sustained.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 At the same time the learned Magistrate has given a very generous discount of two years for simple reason that the appellant wished to raise his family.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 As the starting point cannot be sustained, I consider some adjustment in length of sentence is inevitable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 The accused\rquote s sentence is reduced to two and half years.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \{Jiten Singh\} \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3282558 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558\charrsid3282558 \par AT SUVA \par 10TH JULY 2002}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3282558 \par }}