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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LABASA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2374093 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2374093 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 5 OF 2002
\par (Taveuni Mag. Ct. Crim. Case No. 329/01)
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Appellant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093 
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093\charrsid2374093 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2374093 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093\charrsid2374093 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Appellant in person
\par Mr. J. Rabuku for the State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093\charrsid2374093 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2374093 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2374093 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
\par This is an appeal against sentence and is lodged on the grounds, inter alia, that it is \'93}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 harsh and excessive taking into account the true nature of what really happened in this case}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 \'94.
\par 
\par The appellant was sentenced by the Resident Magistrate, Labasa to two years\rquote  imprisonment for the offence of }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 larceny of cattle}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093  contrary to }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 section 275}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093  of the }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Penal Code}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093  }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Cap.17}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093  in that he with another \'93}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 on the 25}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 th}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093  day of October, 2001 at Vatuawiri Estate, Taveuni in the Northern Division, stole a cow valued at $300.00 the property of Vatuwiri Estate}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 \'94.
\par 
\par It is the appellant\rquote s submission that the co-accused who had a number of previous convictions received a sentence of two years six months\rquote  imprisonment whereas he with no conviction received a sentence of two years\rquote 
 imprisonment as well.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 The sentence therefore he says is harsh and excessive.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 He says that he is single and is a 22 year old farmer.
\par 
\par The learned State Counsel concedes that taking into account the facts surrounding the case and the accused\rquote s plea of guilty and no previous convictions the sentence is excessive.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 He said that a group of people were involved including the co-accused who has a bad record of previous convictions and who is the \lquote ring leader\rquote .
\par 
\par There is no doubt that the appellant a young man of 22 years has committed a serious offence after falling into bad company.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
He along with other young boys was lured into committing this offence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
From what has been revealed in other appeals today before me on cattle stealing there was a modus operandi where the second accused would lure young villagers on different dates to go in the complainant\rquote 
s farm and kill cattle and depart from there with the carcass from the slaughtered animal and consumed in their village.
\par 
\par In all the circumstances of this case, bearing in mind the appellant\rquote 
s plea of guilty with a clear record and the State conceding the appeal, I find that the sentence on this appellant is on the high side particularly also because there is a great disparity between his sentence and that of his co-accused who has a number o
f previous convictions.
\par 
\par The views that I have expressed should not be regarded as being lenient, far from it, for cattle stealing is regarded as a very serious offence and offenders are to be dealt with severely in such cases depending on the prevalence of the offence.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 However, each case has to be dealt with on its own facts.
\par 
\par For these reasons I set aside the sentence of two years\rquote  imprisonment and substitute it with one of one year.
\par 
\par The appeal is therefore allowed to this extent.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2374093 
\par 
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\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 Judge}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
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\par At Labasa
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 20 May 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13701916\charrsid2374093 
\par }}