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)}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par MISCELLANEOUS JURISDICTION \par }\pard \s16\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 CR. MISC. CASE NO: HAM0}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 074 OF 2004S \par }\pard \s16\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 KAILESH NAND SAMI \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Applicant \par }\pard \s16\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Respondent \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 19th November 2004 \par Ruling:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 24th November 2004 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Mr. E. Veretawatini for Applicant \par Ms V. Lidise for State \par \par }\pard \s16\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 This matter was originally set for bail pending appeal.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 However, because the court record was available, and both parties ready for hearing, I proceeded to hear the appeal itself.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 This is my judgment. \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par The Appellant was charged in the Nausori Magistrates\rquote Court as follows: \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Statement of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 THROWING OBJECT}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 : Contrary to Section 105 of the Penal Code, Cap. 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 KALESH NAND SAMI s/o KEAPPA REDDY on the 9th day of September 2004 at Lot 4 Malo Road, Davuilevu, Nausori in the Central Division, wilfully threw an object namely a stone at RATTAN SEN s/o MAHDHO. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par The matter was first called on the 3rd of November 2004.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The plea was taken and the Appellant pleaded guilty.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 He was not told of his right to counsel. \par \par The prosecution outlined the facts.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 They were that on the 9th of October 2004 at 7.30pm the Appellant was drunk and reversed his vehicle into the complainant\rquote s gate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The complainant questioned the Appellant, the Appellant became angry and threw a stone at the complainant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The matter was reported to the police.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 A medical report was tendered to the court.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 However it is the report of someone called Roshni Kaur, who is not the complainant.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 It records a small laceration on the palm. \par \par The Appellant was convicted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 He had 3 previous convictions in 1999 for forgery-related offences, in respect of which he was sentenced to a suspended term of 9 months imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The learned Magistrate was however given an inaccurate list of previous convictions which showed that the Appellant was sentenced to a 9 month custodial sentence. The learned Magistrate said, in sentencing the Appellant: \par \par }\pard\plain \s19\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14820091 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \'93 Given the accused PC\rquote s and the injuries shown on the complainant\rquote s Medical Report, the accused is sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.\'94 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par The grounds of appeal are that the learned Magistrate erred in relying on the list of previous conviction, erred in failing to tell the Appellant of his right to counsel, and erred in imposing a sentence which is harsh and excessive. \par \par State counsel concedes the inaccuracy of the list of previous conviction, and the failure to advice the Appellant of his right to counsel, but says that in the circumstances a 6 month term of imprisonment was not excessive. \par \par The Appellant was not told of his right to counsel.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 This was a breach of section 29 of the Constitution.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 However, such a breach leads to a reversal of the conviction only where it is shown that the accused was prejudiced by lack of legal representation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The question is, if the Appellant had been represented, would the proceedings have been conducted differently, and would there have been a different result?}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The answer to both questions in this case, must be in the affirmative. \par \par Firstly, in mitigation counsel would have explained to the Magistrate the background to the case.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 At the hearing of this appeal, counsel for the Appellant told me from the bar table, that there was an on-going dispute between the Appellant\rquote s family and the complainant\rquote s family.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 If this is the case, then it should have been brought to the court\rquote s attention so that the matter could be verified and a binding-over order considered for both sides to the dispute.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Certainly, there was more to the throwing object charge than met the eye. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par Secondly, the personal circumstances of the Appellant should have been outlined in mitigation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 This was a young unrepresented offender who said nothing in mitigation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 The court had a duty to elicit information from the Appellant to assist in the sentencing process. \par \par Thirdly, the learned Magistrate was given the wrong medical report by the prosecution and he relied upon it for sentencing.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 If the Appellant had been represented, counsel would have objected to the tendering of the report. \par \par Lastly, counsel would have told the court that the Appellant had been given a non-custodial term of imprisonment in 1999, and that the record of previous convictions was inaccurate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Further, the convictions were entered when the Appellant was a juvenile.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 In these circumstances, the court would not have imposed a custodial sentence on the Appellant. \par \par I find therefore that the Appellant was prejudiced on several fronts as a result of lack of representation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 I also find that the learned Magistrate erred in imposing a sentence, which was based on errors of fact. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 In these circumstances the sentence must be quashed.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 A custodial sentence is not appropriate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 This was a minor offence committed in the midst of what appears to be a neighbourly dispute.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 No injuries were caused and it appears no damage resulted from the incident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Instead I impose a fine of $100 which is to be paid to the complainant as compensation for the distress caused to her within 14 days, in default 30 days imprisonment. \par \par The appeal is allowed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 Nazhat Shameem \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14820091 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14820091\charrsid14820091 \par At Suva \par 24th November 2004 \par }}