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)}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par MISCELLANEOUS JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616\charrsid13595616 MISCELLANEOUS ACTION NO: HAM00}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 52 OF 2003 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Between:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 MOHAMMED FAIYAZ \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Applicant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 And:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616\charrsid13595616 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 STATE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Mr. S. Qica for State \par No appearance for Applicant \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par The Applicant filed an application for leave to appeal out of time on the 30th December 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Thereafter he has shown no interest in the application.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Nor can he be traced at the address he gave the Court.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 I have proceeded to consider the matter in his absence. \par \par The Applicant was convicted on the 21st of October 2003 on three counts of offences under the Land Transport Act.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 They were, Dangerous Driving, Failing to Stop after an Accident and Failing to Report an Accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He was fined $500.00, $200.00 and $200.00 on each count respectively, and disqualified from driving for 6 months.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He was convicted after a trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He appealed against conviction and sentence but was 9 days out of time.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 The application was to be heard on that day but according to the affidavit of the Applicant, dat ed 29th December 2003, he was delayed because the vehicle he was travelling in, broke down.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He did not arrive in Nausori Court until 11am by which time his application was dismissed. \par \par He now applies for leave to appeal out of time in this Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He may not make a second application, but because he is unrepresented I have treated this application as an appeal from the Magistrate\rquote s refusal. \par \par The grounds of appeal, and the affidavit of the Applicant, suggest that his application was based on a submission that the appeal has merits and that he had good reason to be out of time. \par \par The learned Magistrate refused leave on 28th November 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He said that the application failed to specify the grounds of complaint.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Indeed the petition of appeal only alleges that the c ase had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. \par \par His ground of appeal is that the learned Magistrate erred in failing to consider contradictions in the evidence of the first prosecution witness.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 However a perusal of the court record shows that PW1, one Sariya Wati, said that she was bumped on Adi Davila Road and that she was bumped by a closed white van.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 She was only asked one question in cross-examination by the Applicant. \par \par Another witness Rameshwar identified the registration number of the vehicle, LR467.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 There was no cross-examination. \par \par A police officer PC Vilikesa gave evidence that he visited the scene, saw broken glass and drew a sketch plan.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He located the Applicant and interviewed him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He was not cross-examined. \par \par The Applicant gave sworn evidence and said he was driving in Suva at the time of the accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He said the van had been parked at the time and \'93somebody may have driven that van.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Under cross-examination he said he had been driving a van in the Nakasi area at the time of the accident and had gone to the Davuilevu area. \par \par The learned Magistrate, in considering the evidence found that the Applicant had made inconsistent statements to the police and in his evidence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He did not believe him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He found that the Applicant had driven in a way which was dangerous in that his manner of driving fell below the standard expected of a competent driver and thereby created a dangerous situation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He also found that the Applicant had failed to stop after the accident and had failed to report it.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 He convicted the Applicant on all counts. \par \par I see nothing on the court record which might suggest that the appeal has merits.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Nor do I consider that the Applicant has cause for complaint in respect of sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 I consider that the application for leave to appeal out of time was rightly refused by the learned Magistrate. \par \par As for his reason for his tardiness in failing his appeal that the learned Magistrate told him he had only 21 days to appeal, I find it unacceptable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Firstly he was 9 days out of time in respect of the 28 day time limit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Secondly, if he had been told he had only 21 days to appeal, that would logically have spurred him on to file his appeal within 21 days.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13595616 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Lastly his claim is not substantiated by the court record, although he was told that he had to pay his fi ne within 21 days which is another issue. \par \par In all the circumstances this appeal is dismissed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 Nazhat Shameem \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13595616 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16019429\charrsid13595616 \par At Suva \par 20th February 2004 \par }}