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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA0057 OF 2003S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 VILIAME KATIA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 And:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 Respondent
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\par No appearance for Appellant
\par Mr. V. Vosarogo for LTA
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 JUDGMENT
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\par Despite several attempts to locate the Appellant at the address he himself gave the Court, he cannot be traced for service.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16332946  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 
A perusal of his petition of appeal shows that the Appellant\rquote s complaint is that the Magistrate proceeded to convict him in his absence, of the offence of failure to wear a seat belt whilst driving.
\par 
\par The court record shows that despite being served notices of hearing and being informed by the court of the hearing dates assigned, the Appellant absented himself on no less than 9 occasions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16332946  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 On the 8th of September 2003, when the learned Magistrate finally proceeded to hear the evidence, the accused had been told of the hearing date on the 17th of July.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16332946  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 He chose to absent himself.
\par 
\par There is clearly no merit in the appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16332946  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid13318368 The charge was laid on the 20th of November 2000, and the learned Magistrate\rquote 
s patience was understandably wearing thin by September 2003.
\par 
\par This appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16332946 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13318368\charrsid16332946 JUDGE
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\par At Suva
\par 6th February 2004
\par }}