{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang5129\deflangfe5129{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f39\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f40\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f42\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f43\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;} {\f44\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f45\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f46\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f47\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);} {\f49\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f50\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f52\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}{\f53\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f54\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);} {\f55\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f56\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f57\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 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{ \s1\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{ \s2\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\*\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;}{\s15\qj \li720\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin720\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Block Text;}{\s16\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 Body Text;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1520966\rsid4484679\rsid12597673\rsid15795138}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.4219;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author sravuniwa}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2003\mo7\dy1\hr16\min2} {\revtim\yr2003\mo7\dy1\hr16\min2}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords875}{\nofchars4992}{\*\company Director of Public Prosecutions}{\nofcharsws5856}{\vern16469}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\rsidroot1520966 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\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\pararsid1520966 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966\charrsid1520966 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 CRIMINAL CASE NO.: HAC 12 OF 2002 \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par v. \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 KITIONE SAUMADU \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par Mr. W. Kurisaqila}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966\charrsid1520966 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 -}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966\charrsid1520966 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 For the State \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966 Mr. K Bulewa }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 -}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 For the Accused \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 SENTENCE \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 This is an unfortunate case of death resulting from inac tion by police but more so by Lami Town Council to accused\rquote s complaint of intolerable noise originating from a residence converted into church. \par \par The accused, Kitione Saumadu was charged with Manslaughter Contrary to Section 198 of the Penal Code, Criminal Intimidation Contrary to Section 330(b) of the Penal Code and Damaging Property Contrary to Section 324(1) of the Penal Code. He pleaded guilty to all three counts. \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 FACTS: \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par The accused is a storeman with the Fisheries Department. He came home on 20}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 Sept ember 2001 at 7.45 p.m. His children told him that they could not study due to the noise which was coming from next door residence turned into a church. The noise from the church had been a source of disturbance to the accused\rquote s family and he had on numerous occasions complained to the police and the Lami Town Council. \par \par He went next door to complain but was attacked by dogs as he entered the gate. He came back home to get a knife to fend off the dogs. He entered the church and with his knife hacked at some furniture while shouting and wielding his knife. \par \par He confronted the Pastor inside the church. The congregation ran away. \par \par The accused came out of the church and met the deceased Josevata Vai aged 33 who moved towards the accused. The accused swung the knife at the deceased and hit him on the head. The deceased died as a result of the knife wound which was 150mm in length. \par \par The accused himself went to Lami Police Station and admitted to striking the deceased with the knife. \par \par The accused is forty-five years o ld, married man with three young children, two of whom are in primary school and one in kindergarten. He is employed by the Fisheries Department. His superiors at employment consider him an efficient and competent worker. Testimonials from others also spe ak highly of the accused. His family has a substantial debt to be paid to the Westpac Banking Corporation. \par \par I can treat him as a first offender as the earlier conviction is trivial and old. \par \par Counsel for the accused submitted that the accused was labouring under provocation in that his family had been subjected to continuous barrage of noise from the unauthorized church activity from neighbour\rquote s compound and being confronted by a stone throwing decrees immediately before the incident. This noise from the chur ch had gone on for some years and the accused had written to police and to Lami Town Council about the noise level. Letters written by the accused bear this out. \par \par Manslaughter covers a wide variety of situations and sentences meted out reflect that. What h as to be considered is the relationship between the nature and extent of provocation offered and the nature and degree of retaliation. Greater the disparity between the two and greater the time lapse, the more severe the sentence. \par \par In }{\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 SASHI KAPOOR RAYAN v. THE STATE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \endash Criminal Appeal 28 of 2000 the Fiji Court of Appeal commented \endash \par \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li720\ri720\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid1520966 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \'93 As is to be expected, sentence for manslaughter vary widely, depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Penalties range from suspended sentences to twelve years imp risonment. In the latter category the degree of violence is high and provocation minimal. In }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 RAUVE v. STATE}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 (Criminal Appeal 13 of 1990) this court observed. However, we note that punishment in Fiji for manslaughter of a serious kind has normally range from seven (7) to ten (10) years depending on the degree of gravity.\'94 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 In the present case the mitigating factors are accused\rquote s plea of guilty. He can be treated as a first offender. No doubt the accused and his family had been subjected to intolerable noise which must have been loud by use of speakers from a residence turned into a church, in the middle of a residential area. He had done all he could by complaining to police and the town council in writing about the noise. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 On the day in question he came home and his children told him of noise and them not being able to study. He went unarmed to complain but was turned away by attack from dogs. He returned home and took a knife to deal with the dogs, not to injure anybody. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par He caused a commotion and alarm ins ide the church. On his way out back to his home, he was met by the deceased who threw a part of brick at the accused, which missed the accused. Before the deceased could throw a second stone, the accused hit him only once with the knife. I was told by the counsel, the head was not aimed at but knife struck him on the head. The accused was also in custody for about nine months. \par \par The accused is remorseful. He surrender to police himself. He admitted the offence. I am told his family has apologized in traditional manner to the family of the deceased. \par \par The aggravating features of the case are use of weapon. A cane knife is a lethal weapon as it proved to be. The deceased was struck on the}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1520966 head causing a 150mm incision would reflect}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 the force behind the blow. \par \par Gi ven the circumstances of this case, I do not see that this is a proper case for suspended sentence. That type of sentence is confined to cases of gross provocation with minimal violence generally a punch of two in the nature of common assault and victim f alling back and injuring his head. The violence here was gross. The provocation offered by noise and the stone wielding deceased was not overwhelming. The retaliation was out of proportion to provocation offered. \par \par In all the circumstances of the case I sentenced the accused as follows: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 Count 1\tab -\tab 3 \'bd years imprisonment \par Count 2\tab -\tab 6 months imprisonment concurrent to Count 1 \par Count 3\tab -\tab 1 month imprisonment concurrent to Count 1 & 2. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 (Jiten Singh) \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1520966 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 \par At Suva \par 27}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138\charrsid1520966 August 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15795138 \par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12597673 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12597673 HAC0012.02S}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12597673\charrsid1520966 \par }}