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page number;}}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-1864484042\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00);}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fbias0 \fi-720\li1440
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{\author Information Technology Unit}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo12\dy3\hr17\min58}{\revtim\yr2005\mo12\dy3\hr17\min58}{\printim\yr2004\mo9\dy1\hr10\min3}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1346}{\nofchars7677}
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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371\charrsid2502371 CRIMINAL CASE NO. HAC0}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 014 OF 2003S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 THE STATE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 v.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 WILLIAM K. TAGICAKIBAU
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par Mr. N. Lajendra for State
\par Mr. R. Singh for Accused
\par 
\par Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 31st August 2004
\par Ruling:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 1st September 2004
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 RULING
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par The defence submits that there is no case for the accused to answer.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Section 293(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 \b\i\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
When the evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution has been concluded and the statement or evidence (if any) of the accused person befo
re the committing court has been given in evidence, the court if it considers that there is no evidence that the accused or anyone of several accused committed the offence, shall, after hearing, if necessary, any arguments which the [legal practitioner] f
or the prosecution or the defence may desire to submit record a finding of not guilty.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par The test at this stage of the trial is whether, on the charge in the information, there is evidence that the accused committed the offence (}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Sisa Kalisoqo v. State}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371  Crim. App. No. 52 of 1984; }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 State v. Mosese Tuisawau}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371  Crim. App. No. 14 of 1990).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
If there is some relevant and admissible evidence, direct or circumstantial, touching on all elements of the offence, then there is a prima facie case under section 293(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
\par 
\par In this case the defence says that there is no evidence of gross negligence (of the level required in a trial for manslaughter) nor of the causing of death by an unlawful act of the accused.
\par 
\par The prosecution submits firstly that the deceased was incapacitated by the accused driving his father\rquote s vehicle, and secondly that the deceased\rquote s life was shortened because the accused failed to take him to a doctor immediately.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 The prosecution relies on section 206(d) of the Penal Code, section 209 of the Code and on the accused\rquote 
s admissions as well as the evidence of Dr Eka Buadromo.
\par 
\par At this stage of the trial, there must be some relevant and admissible evidence touching on each of the following elements:
\par 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 The accused;
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Caused the death of the deceased;
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3)\tab}}\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 By an unlawful act.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par There is no dispute that in the early morning of the 6th of November 1999, the accused without a licence, drove his father\rquote s car on Foster Road, Walu Bay and hit the deceased.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Nor is it in dispute that he drove off without stopping, leaving the deceased bleeding on the road, to be later taken to the CWM Hospital in a carrier.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 He later died there whilst being attended to by doctors.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 The evidence of Dr Eka Buadromo was that although doctors might have been able to prolong his li
fe if he had been brought in earlier the deceased would have died anyway as a result of the head injury.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
The question is therefore whether the accused "caused" the death of the deceased by his negligence in leaving the deceased on the road after the collision.
\par 
\par Section 206(d) of the Penal Code provides:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 \f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
A person is deemed to have caused the death of another person although his act is not the immediate or sole cause of death \'85 if by any act or omission he hastened the death of a person suffering under any 
disease or injury which apart from such act or omission would have caused death.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par Section 209 of the Penal Code provides:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
It is the duty of every person having charge of another who is unable by reason of age, sickness, unsoundness of mind, detention or
 any other cause to withdraw himself from such charge, and who is unable to provide himself with the necessaries of life, whether the charge is undertaken under a contract or is imposed by law, or arises by reason of any act, whether lawful or unlawful of
 the person who has such charge, to provide for that person the necessaries of life; and he shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of the other person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.\'94

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par There is evidence that the accused by his act of colliding with the deceased, rendered the deceased unable and incapable of providing himself with urgent medical care.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 There is evidence therefore that (whether or not the driving of the vehicle was lawful) there
 was a duty of care on the accused to take the deceased to a doctor in order to obtain such medical care.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
The remaining question is whether, in omitting to provide the deceased with such care, the accused was being grossly negligent.
\par 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Bateman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371  (1925) 94 
KB 791 the English Court of Criminal Appeal considered an appeal against conviction for manslaughter in respect of medical negligence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 A doctor had been convicted of manslaughter by negligence in respect of the death of a woman who died after childbirth.
\par 
\par Hewert L.C.J. said at p. 11:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 \b\i\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
In explaining to juries the test which they should apply to determine whether the negligence in the particular case amounted or did not amount to a crime, judges have used many epithets, such as \'93culpable\'94, \'93criminal\'94, \'93gross\'94, \'93
wicked\'94, \'93clear\'94, \'93complete\'94.}{\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
But, whatever epithet be used and whether an epithet be used or not, in order to establish criminal liability the facts must be such that, in the opinion of the jury the negligence of the accused went beyond a mere matter 
of compensation between subjects and showed such disregard for the life or safety of others as to amount to a crime against the State and conduct deserving punishment.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Andrews v. DPP}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371  (1937) AC 576, the appellant who was driving very fast, hit a pedest
rian and did not stop after the collision.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Adopting the passage quoted above in }{
\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Bateman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371  the House of Lords dismissed the appeal against conviction, Lord Atkin saying at p. 583:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 \b\i\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
The principle to be observed is that cases of manslaughter in driving motor cars are but instances of a general rule applicable to all charges of homicide by negligence.}{\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Simple lack of care such as well constitute civil liability is not enough: for the purposes of the criminal law there are degrees of negligence: and a very high de
gree of negligence is required to be proved before the felony is established.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 R. v. Adamako}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
 (1995) 1 AC 171, the House of Lords held that the ordinary principles of the law of negligence involving a breach of duty applied to ascertain whether there wa
s a breach, but that thereafter the next question was whether it caused the death of the victim and whether it is a case of gross negligence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 This last was ultimately a question for the jury, that is, whether the accused\rquote s conduct was so bad that in all the circumstances it amounted to a criminal act or omission.
\par 
\par In this case, the State concedes that there is no evidence of negligent driving on the part of the accused.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
Instead, it relies on the omission to take the deceased to hospital to prove unlawfulness.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
As a matter of law, and under section 209 of the Penal Code, I find that he did owe the deceased a duty of care to provide necessaries, because, the deceased was lying on the road injured and incapable, as a result of the accused\rquote 
s vehicle colliding with him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Whether he was grossly negligent as opposed to merely careless, is a question for the assessors.

\par 
\par The principle underlying section 209 of the Penal Code, is an old and well-recognised common law principle.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
It is summarised in the authority of the }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Queen v. Instan}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
 (1893) 1 QB 450, cited to me by counsel for the prosecution.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
In that case, the accused lived with a seventy-three year old aunt and took care of her.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
The aunt was unable to take care of herself due to illness.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 In the last ten days of the aunt\rquote 
s life, the accused failed to give her food or provide her with nursing attention.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Death was accelerated by the accused\rquote 
s neglect.
\par 
\par Lord Coleridge CJ said (at p.453):
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 \'93
There can be no question in this case that it was the clear duty of the prisoner to impart to the deceased so much as was necessary to sustain life of the food which she from time to time took in, and which was paid for by the deceased\rquote 
s own money for the purpose of the maintenance of herself and the prisoner it was only through the instrumentality of the prisoner that the deceased could get the food.}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 There was, therefore, a common law duty imposed upon the prisoner which she did not discharge.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par The duty, under common law and section 209, does not arise in a vacuum.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Not every person has a l
egal duty to provide necessaries for others.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 However, when it is the accused\rquote 
s act (lawful or unlawful) which renders the deceased dependent on the accused for such necessaries, then a legal duty arises.
\par 
\par I consider therefore that there is sufficient evidence for the assessors to consider in relation to all ingredients of the offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
If they accept Dr Buadromo\rquote s evidence, that the delay in obtaining medical care for the deceased hastened his death then it is open to them to find causation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2502371  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 It is not in dis
pute that the accused failed to obtain the necessaries of life for the deceased and whether such act was so grossly negligent as to call for criminal sanction, is a matter for the assessors.
\par 
\par There is a case for the accused to answer and he must be put to his defence.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 Nazhat Shameem
\par JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2502371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid884214\charrsid2502371 
\par At Suva
\par 1st September 2004
\par }}