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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LABASA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 HAA00}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 62J}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 2003B
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 BETWEEN:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 APENISA SERUITATA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 APPELLANT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 AND:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 THE STATE
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 RESPONDENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par Appellant In Person
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 Counsel for the State}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Ms Sofia S. Shah
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 
\par Date of Hearing}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 : }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 27 July, 2004
\par Date of Judgment:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 24 August, 2004
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par The Appellant was charged with Indecent Assault at the Labasa Magistrate Court on 5 May 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Charge read as follows}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Statement of Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 INDECENT ASSAULT}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 , }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Contrary to section 154 (1) of the Penal Code, Cap.}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 17.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Particulars of Offence
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\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
APENISA SERUITATA, on the 25th day of July, 1999 at Vunivutu, Wainikoro in the Northern Division, unlawfully and indecently assaulted SERESEINI QATIA.
\par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 \b\f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 
\par }{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The facts of the case are as follows.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
On 25 July 1999 (a Sunday) at Vunivutu village at approximately 2 p.m., the complainant who had just turned 7 years old, returned to her home from Sunday School.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The complainant\rquote s father was asleep in the bedroom.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The Appellant, the complainant\rquote s uncle, was sleeping in the living room.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The
 complainant brought out from the bedroom into the living room a photo album and began looking through it.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The Appellant who now was awake, called the complainant to come over to him, and while reluctant at first did eventually walked across to him.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Appellant, after lifting the complainant onto him, began fondling her including touching her breasts and vagina.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Her attempt to break free was thwarted by the Appellant\rquote s tight hold over her.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Eventually, the complaint\rquote s father woke up and saw the assault on his daughter.}{\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\b0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The matter was reported to the police and the Appellant was formally charged, after being interviewed by the police.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par On 30 July 2003, the Appellant, after pleading guilty to the charge, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Grounds of Appeal
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par The initial ground was on the sentence alone namely, that it was harsh and excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
Later, the Counsel for the Office of the Legal Aid Commission intervened and filed additional ground on conviction.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Appeal
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par This appeal first came before Winter J. on 23 March 2004.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 He had commenced hearing it.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
There was however the additional ground on conviction raised by Counsel from the Legal Aid Commission on behalf of the Appellant, and specifically the question of whether the Appellant had been advised of h
is right to be legally represented as provided for under section 28 (1) (d) of the Constitution.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
There did not appear to be any evidence from the Court records that this was done.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
However, the State pointed out that the Appellant was in fact being re-charg
ed for the same offence because of non-appearances on bench warrant previously and it was possible that there had been compliance with the Constitutional provision at the earlier hearing.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Winter J, in adjourning the hearing to allow the Appellant\rquote s earlier
 Court appearance and records to be look into with the above purpose, nevertheless noted the reservation by the Appellant Counsel, that the long delay would at any rate probably necessitate a further Constitutional warning.
\par 
\par While this essentially is a part-heard matter, I am satisfied that I can properly proceed to hear it, given that the substance of the appeal is yet to be argued.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 I also now have the benefit of perusing the earlier Court record.
\par 
\par At today\rquote s hearing, the Duty Solicitor for the Office of the Legal Aid Commission informed the Court that the administrative process for the legal representation of the Appellant was still to be completed.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 However, the Appellant, after having been fully explained of his rights, decided to waiver them and proceed on his own.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Appeal Against Conviction
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par The Appellant first submitted that the opportunity to consult a lawyer of his own choosing of being advised of his right to seek legal assistance, was denied him by the learned Magistrate, before the charge was put to him.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Certainly, this appears to be the case in respect of the second of the Applicant\rquote s two appearances before the Court.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 As to his first appearances between July 1999 and March 2001, I have also concluded, after perusing the records, that the learned Ma
gistrate had not advised the Appellant of his rights as required under section 28 (1) (d) of the Constitution.
\par 
\par The right to legal representation under the Constitution was fully discussed in this Court\rquote s judgment in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Esala Vunigiagia v. The State}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 , Labasa Crim. App. No. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 HAA00}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 51}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 2003.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
Emphasising the need as well as the importance of the accused being informed of this, the Court added (at p.5).
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8932614 \b\i\f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 \'93
It is of vital importance therefore that the accused is not only given the assistance that maybe available to him 
or/her, but more importantly, that in the first instance, he or she be informed and is made to appreciate the existence of the right to not only be legally represented, but of the availability of legal aid, should it be required.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8932614 \b\i\f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The duty to inform is incumbent on all officers of the Court generally and ultimately on the presiding officer of the Court, when the person charged comes before him or her.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par The failure by the learned Magistrate to inform the Appellant of his right to legal representation amounted to irregularity in the way the trial was conducted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 In the normal course such an occurrence would result in a re-trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 But as the Court has stated in the }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Vunigiagia}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614  Case, this factor of itself is not sufficient for an appeal to succeed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Appellant, must also at the same time convince the Court that the absence of Counsel had prejudiced his defence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Court records clearly show that, the Appellant had pleaded not guilty throughout his Court appearances, until he decided, 4 years later, in July 2003, to plead guilty to the charge.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The charge had been read to him several times during his Court appearances, and he told the Court on each occasion that he understood the charge.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 In addition, the facts of the case had also been outlined to him in his appearance in December 2000, which he also disputed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 He clearly understood what was going on throughout the proceedings.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 I am therefore satisfied that he would not have been prejudiced in any way by the lack of legal representation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The appeal on this ground fails.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Appeal Against Sentence
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par The maximum penalty for indecent assaults on women is 5 years.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The learned Magistrate imposed 3 years imprisonment, which, the Appellant submitted, is harsh and excessive given his mitigating factors.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 According to the Appellant, he had cooperated fully in the investigation, and he had offered his Fijian traditional apology of }{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 \'93bulubulu\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614  to the father and family of the complainant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614\charrsid8932614 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The recognised starting tariff for offence of indecent assault on minors is 3 years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The sentencing principles for this and like offences are set out in Shameem J\rquote s decision in }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
Ratu Penioni Rokota v. The State}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614  Suva Crim. App. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 HAA00}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 68}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 2002.
\par 
\par In this case the complainant was 7 years old and the Court had accorded the Appellant the correct starting tariff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
The mitigating factors would have reduced the sentence by at the most 12 months.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 However, there are equally aggravating factors.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The Appellant is the uncle to the complainant, who as a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 7 year old, would have trusted and relied completely on the former as a protector.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 He failed miserably to show any sense of mature and responsible adult human being and a close affinity to the complainant, with the action he took.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 An innocent child\rquote s trust in him had been completely misplaced.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Secondly, and as the learned Magistrate had properly referred to, the Appellant\rquote s 8 previous convictions included two for similar type offences.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 It could not therefore be said, that the Appellant is new to this or similar type of unacceptable human behaviour.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 These are factors that the Court rightly should take into consideration in counter balancing the mitigating factors of the Case.

\par 
\par A word about the Fijian traditional apology of }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 \'93bulubulu\'94,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
 where tabua or yaqona are presented to the aggrieved family by the perpetrator of the offence are often raised as a mitigator before the Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Certainly, the ritual is relevant but only to the extent that it shows that there has been attempt at reconciliation between the parties.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 When done, and accepted it is in favour of the perpetrator.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 However, many offences, while committed against an individual, remains in the public domain.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 They are offences that are deemed injurious to the public at large offending society\rquote s sense and standard of morality.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 For such offences, it is not enough to show that reconciliation even in the traditional Fijian way, has been achieved.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 The State must be free to impose its own sanction on behalf of the society as a whole.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 Without it, our standard of human decency becomes meaningless.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8932614  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 

\par 
\par In all the circumstances of this case, I am satisfied that the learned Magistrate\rquote s sentencing of the Appellant to 3 years imprisonment was neither harsh nor excessive. This ground is without merit and therefore unsuccessful.
\par 
\par This Appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 F. Jitoko
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8932614 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3433137\charrsid8932614 
\par At Labasa
\par 24 August 2004
\par }}