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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LABASA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 4 OF 2002
\par (Taveuni Mag. Ct. Crim. Case No. 328/01)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 PETERO ADAMA
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Appellant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696\charrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696\charrsid10112696 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Appellant in Person
\par Mr. J. Rabuku for the State}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 JUDGMENT}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696\charrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696\charrsid10112696 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 This is an appeal against sentence of two years\rquote  imprisonment imposed on the appellant by the Resident Magistrate (E. Rokoika Esq.), Labasa on 12 November 2001 for the offence of }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Larceny of cattle}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  contrary to }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 section 275}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  of the }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Penal Code}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 , }{
\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Cap. 17}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  when he and another \'93}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 between 8}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 th}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  day of October and the 12}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 th}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  day of October 2001, at Wainiyaku Estate, Taveuni in the Northern Division stole a bull valued at $400 the property of Wainiyaku Estate}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 \'94.
\par 
\par The ground of appeal, inter alia, is that the sentence is \lquote }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 harsh and excessive taking into consideration the nature of what really happened in this case}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 \rquote .
\par 
\par It is the appellant\rquote s submission that he is single and is a 21 year old farmer from Taveuni.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
He complains that his co-accused who has a number of previous convictions received two years six months\rquote  imprisonment and he with a clean record received a harsh and excessive sentence of two years imprisonment.
\par 
\par The learned Counsel for the State stated that there are certain unsatisfactory features in this case.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 He said that the fac
ts were not outlined to the appellant as required by law for him to admit or deny same.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 All that the record said}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 was \'93}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Modus Operandi same as in files 329/01 and 330/01 .....}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 \'94}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
He felt that because of the procedure adopted by the learned Magistrate the conviction was not right.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
This appellant was also not involved in 329 & 330/01.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 He further stated that the sentence of two years\rquote 
 imprisonment is excessive taking into account his guilty plea and a clean record.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 He concedes the appeal and even goes on to the ex
tent of saying that the conviction cannot stand.
\par 
\par I agree with Mr. Rabuku that the learned Magistrate fell foul of the requirement of the law when as stated in the Court Record, the procedure of outlining the facts of the case was not followed and this ind
eed is fatal to the prosecution case for it did not enable the appellant to plead properly to the charge laid against him.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
It is provided in }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 section 206(1)}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  of the }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
Criminal Procedure Code Cap. 21}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696  that:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 \'93}{\b\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
The substance of the charge or complaint shall be stated to the accused person by the court, and he shall be asked whether he admits or denies the truth of the charge}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 \'94.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
\par As to why this experienced Magistrate overlooked the correct procedure is hard to understand.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 It is true that the Magistrates handle a larg
e volume of work but it is no excuse to take \lquote short cuts\rquote  so to say which appears to be case here.
\par 
\par Also, there is nothing in the Record to indicate what factors were taken into account in sentencing the appellant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
In any case there seems to be disparity in sentencing between the appellant and the co-accused who has a number of previous convictions.
\par 
\par For these reasons I find the conviction unsatisfactory.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 The conviction is quashed and the sentence set aside.
\par 
\par The appeal is allowed and the appellant is ordered to be released from prison forthwith after having served the sentence since 12 November 2001.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 D. Pathik
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 Judge}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10112696 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10112696 At Labasa}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9438765\charrsid10112696 
\par 20 May 2002
\par }}