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freriks_k}{\creatim\yr2008\mo11\dy28\hr18\min11}{\revtim\yr2009\mo1\dy20\hr15\min48} {\version7}{\edmins3}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords922}{\nofchars5262}{\nofcharsws6172}{\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\rsidroot11081800 \fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid11081800\sftnbj {\headerr \pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11081800 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\field{\*\fldinst { \insrsid11081800 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid614489 3}}}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\insrsid11081800 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "Symbol" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f3\fs24}}}{\insrsid11081800 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11081800 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11081800 \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\pararsid9722184 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA 014 OF 2001S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 AJNESH KUMAR \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 12th April 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 19th April 2002 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Mr A.K. Singh for Appellant \par Mr N. Nand for Respondent \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184\charrsid9722184 JUDGMENT}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par On 12th April 2002, I dismissed the Appellant\rquote s appeal against conviction.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 This judgment deals with his appeal against sentence. \par \par The Appellant (who is on bail pending appeal) was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, and disqualified from driving for two years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 His counsel submits that the sentence was harsh and excessive, and wrong in principle.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 The appeal is o pposed by the State, on the ground that the offence was serious and that the sentence was not wrong in principle. \par \par A perusal of English and Fiji cases, in relation to sentencing in Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, shows that principles have been developed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 In }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Guilfoyle}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 (1973) 57 Cr. App. R. 549 (followed by Fatiaki J in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Sefanaia Marau -v- The State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Criminal Appeal No. 79 of 1990) the Court of Appeal (per Lawton LJ) said that in cases of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, there were two main categories.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 One, where the accident arose through momentary misjudgment and two, where the accused showed a selfish disregard for the safety of other road users or with a degree of recklessness.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 There were also according to the Court of Appeal, three categories of off enders, one where he/she has a good driving record, one where he/she has had speeding convictions or careless driving convictions, and one where the offender has a record of persistently reckless driving. \par \par For those cases where the accident is caused as a result of momentary inattention and the driver has a good driving record, a non-custodial sentence is normally appropriate.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 For those cases where the offender has shown a selfish disregard for other road us ers, and has a bad driving record, a custodial sentence with a long period of disqualification is appropriate. \par \par This decision was cited with approval in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Sunil Dutt Sharma}{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 -v- R}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 (1978) 24 F.L.R p.166, and a sentence of nine months imprisonment was upheld because the appellant had shown \'93reckless disregard for the safety of other road users.\'94 \par \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Boswell}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 (1984) 79 Cr. App. R, was decided by the English Court of Criminal Appeal after the 1977 amendment to the (UK) Road Traffic Act 1972 which created the offence of causing death by reckless driving was passed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Although the evidence required for reckless driving is different than it is for dangerous driving the maximum sentence for death by reckless driving was 5 years imprisonment, as is the case under section 238(1) of the Penal Code.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 In that case the Court of Appeal listed a number of factors which are relevant in approaching sentence.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Aggravating factors included the consumption of drug and}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 drinks, evidence of \'93racing\'94, excessive speed, a disregard of warnings from passengers, prolonged and persistently bad driving, and driving whilst disqualified.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 A bad driving record is also an aggravating factor. \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Mitigating factors include a momentary reckless error of judgment, a good driving record and a plea of guilty.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Where there are no aggravating factors, a non-custodial penalty may be appropriate, but if there is an aggravating feature present a custodial term is necessary.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 In that case, the appellant Boswell drove at a high speed and overtook in dangerous circumstances thereby killing a pedestrian.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 He was drunk.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 A term of 18 months imprisonment was upheld, the court saying, in the light of the evidence of drink, that \'93it was, if anything on the lenient side\'94 (at p.284). \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Although the offence of causing death by reckless driving was a more serious offence than our section 238 of the Penal Code, because of the need to prove failing to give thought to a risk, or knowingly taking a risk, the aggra vating and mitigating factors listed in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Boswell}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 are useful.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 However it must be remembered that some drivers who fall into the \'93momentary inattention\'94 category of }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Guilfoyle}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 would not have been convicted of reckless driving, because for the offence of reckless driving, there must be evidence of a reckless disregard for road users.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Thus, not all sentences passed for the offence of Causing Death by Reckless Driving are helpful in considering an appropriate sentence for our Penal Code offence. \par \par Counsel for the Appellant of course submitted on appeal against conviction, that this was a case of \'93momentary inattention.\'94}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 He further submits that suspended sentences are given by the magistrates\rquote courts for most offences of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 He has provided me with newspaper cuttings reporting two such cases.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Unfortunately the individual circumstances of those cases, and the degree of fault on the part of each accused is not clear from the reports.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Without the respective judgments of the courts, I am unable to ascertain whether the cases fell into Lawton LJ\rquote s first or second category. \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 As to the facts of this case, I cannot accept that this was a case of momentary inattention.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 The learned Chief Magistrate clearly was of the view that the Appellant was dr iving at a dangerously high speed, that he did not negotiate the bend with care and that he did not give any regard to other road users, or to the fact that he was driving a loaded 3 ton truck.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 This is not a case of momentary inattention, of a driver who is distracted for a second and veers towards a pedestrian in that split second.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 } {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 This is a case of reckless disregard for other road users.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 It was never suggested that the deceased in any way contributed to the accident. \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 In all the circumstances, a custodial sentence was warranted.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 The maximum term is 5 years imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 It is not clear what the Chief Magistrate used as his starting point, but given the serious nature of the offending, a starting point of 2 years imprisonment might have been appropriate. W ith a reduction for mitigating circumstances, the 18 month term is not wrong in principle.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 For these reasons the appeal against sentence is dismissed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 The Appellant must serve his sentence forthwith.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 His term of disqualification also remains. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 JUDGE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9722184 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9722184 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11081800\charrsid9722184 At Suva \par 19th April 2002 \par }}