{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;} {\f169\fnil\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 00000400000000000000}WP TypographicSymbols;}{\f172\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f173\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f175\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;} {\f176\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f177\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f178\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f179\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;} {\f180\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (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\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\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;}{\*\cs15 \additive \ssemihidden footnote reference;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1515426\rsid5273665 \rsid8266924\rsid15344989}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author blake_r}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo3\dy28\hr16\min1}{\revtim\yr2006\mo3\dy28\hr16\min1}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages2} {\nofwords510}{\nofchars2913}{\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws3417}{\vern16391}}\margl1440\margr1440 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\notabind\wraptrsp\transmf\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\truncatefontheight\subfontbysize\sprsbsp\wpjst\lytprtmet\hyphcaps0\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot5273665 \fet0\sectd \sbknone\linex0\headery1440\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid5273665\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\pvpara\posx0\posy0\absw9361\nowrap\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15344989 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}} {\field{\*\fldinst {\insrsid15344989 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid15344989 2}}}{\insrsid15344989 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 45 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\insrsid15344989 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15344989 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15344989 \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\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA0010 OF 2002S \par (Suva MC Case No. 3371/01)}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 TIMALETU UTOVOU \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Respondent}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Appellant in Person \par Mr W. Kurisaqila for Respondent \par \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 Hearing: }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 12th March 2002 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 15th March 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924\charrsid8266924 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 On 21}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 st}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 January 2002, the Appellant was convicted on her plea of guilty to a charge of Receiving Stolen Property.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The charge read as follows: \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Statement of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 :\tab Contrary to Section 313(1) of the Penal Code,}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Particulars of Offence}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 ASESELA TAWAKE and TIMALETI UTOVOU between 22}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 nd}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 day of October 2001 and 24}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 day of October, 2001 at Suva in the Central Division, received one Seiko Wrist Watch valued at $200.00, one Gold Med al valued at $400.00,one Gold Button valued at $200.00, one Gold Chain valued at $50.00, three Purses valued at $7.00, US$2,200.00 and F$87.94, the property of PARK GUINAM, knowing the same to have been stolen. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par She was sentenced to three years}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 She now appeals against her sentence, saying it was harsh and excessive, and that her parents are old and sick.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 At the hearing of this appeal she also said that she did not know that the goods she received were stolen.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 However she said she knew they were not her husband}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 s property, and that she had understood the charge when it was read to her.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 State Counsel opposed the appeal, saying that the sentence was not manifestly excessive. \par \par In the Magistrates}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Court the Appellant and her husband both pleaded guilty to Receiving Stolen Property (the alternative charge) after the charge was read to them and explained.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 They said they understood it, and admitted it.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The facts were then outlined.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The prosecutor said that on the 22}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 nd}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 of October 2001 at 4am, Park Guinam was robbed of cash and jewellery to the total value of $31,000 as specified on Count 1 (the charge of Robbery with Violence).}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The Appellant and her husband were arrested on 24}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 th}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 October 2001 at Samabula Police Station.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 They were searched and found in pos session of the items listed on Count 2.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 They included a gold medal, a wristwatch, a gold chain and three purses containing Fiji and U.S. money.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 They were interviewed and the Appellant}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 s husband said he had received these items from another person, and had given them to the Appellant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The Appellant admitted these facts and admitted eight previous convictions, four of which were for offences of dishonesty. \par \par The learned Magistrate sentenced both to three years imprisonment after giving them discount for the guilty pleas.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 He said:}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 65 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The Court takes a very serious view on offenders such as these two because if there are no outlets or receivers of stolen properties, there would be very little or no robberies at all.}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Very often, the offenders do not tell the Police the name(s) of the person(s) involved in the robbery, so the cycle goes on and on.}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 64 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 \par I agree with his remarks.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 The Appellant was fortunate to receive a three year term, given her previous record, and the value of the property received.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Further, in the face of the clear record of the proceedings in the Magistrates}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 {\field{\*\fldinst SYMBOL 61 \\f "WP TypographicSymbols" \\s 12}{\fldrslt\f169\fs24}}}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Court, I do not accept that she did not understand the charge of Receiving Stolen Property.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 She raised this for the first time at the hearing of the appeal, and this ground did not feature in her petition of appeal. \par \par This appeal is dismissed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 JUDGE}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8266924 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 At Suva \par 15}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5273665\charrsid8266924 March 2002}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8266924 \par }}