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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par MISCELLANEOUS JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
\par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 CRIMINAL MISC. CASE NO: HAM}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 0}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 047 OF 2004S
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Applicant
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
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\par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 THE STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Respondent
\par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
\par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 3rd September 2004
\par Ruling:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 10th September 2004
\par 
\par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Applicant in Person
\par Mr. P. Bulamainaivalu for State
\par 
\par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
This is an application for enlargement of time to appeal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
Grounds which might justify enlargement of time are the existence of any questions of law which are unusually difficult, and inability to obtain the court record.
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
\par The Applicant was charged with 3 counts of robbery with violence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 He pleaded guilty on the 5th of February 2004.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 He agreed to the facts in respect of all the charges.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Each offence involved the attack on the victim causing injuries, by a group of men.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 The Applicant was a first offender and was sentenced to a total sentence of 8 years imprisonment; to be served consecutively to the 4 year term in Court File 2710/03.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 He was told of his right of appeal within 28 days.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 He appealed against this sentence on the 10th of June 2004, 2\'bd months out of time.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 The reason he gave for his late appeal was that he did not understand his right of appeal.
\par 
\par His grounds of appeal are that he was pressurized by the police to plead guilty, that he was not told of his right to counsel, that his plea was equivocal, and that his sentence was harsh and excessive for a young first offender.
\par 
\par The Applicant\rquote s excuse for his late appeal is unsatisfactory.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 However I accept that he is a 
young first offender and is unfamiliar with the court proceedings.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
Further I consider that he has an arguable appeal which has merit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
In particular, although a series of robbery with violence cases cannot be condoned, a total of 12 years imprisonment for an 18 year old first offender does appear to be unduly long.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 On this ground, leave is granted to enlarge time.
\par 
\par State counsel has made full submissions on the appeal itself.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
He submitted that the pleas were unequivocal, that he was not prejudiced by lack of legal representation, and that the sentence of 12 years imprisonment is not harsh and excessive.
\par 
\par The court record shows that the Appellant was never told of his right to counsel.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
However the facts outlined in each case clearly disclosed the offences.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
Each incident involved an attack on one man by the accused and two others.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
In the case of each, the sum of around $300 was taken and the complainant received swelling over the eye, abrasions and tenderness.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 The mitigating factors were that the Appellant was a first offender, employed as a security guard, aged 18 years old and pleaded guilty.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 There was nothing in the mitigation to suggest an equivocal plea.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 I do not consider that he was prejudiced by lack of representation, despite the failure of the magistrate to inform him of his right to counsel.
\par 
\par Nor do I consider the pleas to be equivocal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Clearly the Appellant understood the charges and pleaded to them.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 There is no merit in the appeal against convictions.
\par 
\par However I do consider that a term of 12 years imprisonment to be excessive for an 18 year old first offender.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
The length of the sentence must give to the Appellant a sense of hopelessness far outweighing the seriousness of the offences.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
The sentences of 4 years on each count are unexceptionable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
Indeed, given the group offending and the injuries sustained by the victims, such a sentence at the lowest end of the tariff is, if anything, lenient.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 However I consider that the cumulative sentence of 12 years to be excessive under the totality principle.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 I consider that the sentences on Court Files 2710/03 and 2709/03 should be served concurrently but consecutive to the sentence on Court File 2708/03.
\par 
\par The total of 8 years imprisonment is to be served concurrently with the four year term he is serving at present.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
Effectively his sentence is reduced to 8 years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 This appeal succeeds to this effect.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 Nazhat Shameem
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2505837 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2505837\charrsid2505837 
\par At Suva
\par 10th September 2004
\par }}