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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 CRIMINAL CASE NO: HAC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690 0}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 021 OF 2003S
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 STATE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 v.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 LITIA LEBA
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 6th February 2004
\par Sentence:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 11th February 2004
\par 
\par Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Mr. W. Kuruisaqila for State
\par Ms. B. Malimali for Accused
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 SENTENCE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par Litia Leba, you have pleaded guilty, and have been convicted of the offence of manslaughter, contrary to section 198 of the Penal Code.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The facts, which you have accepted, are that on the 4th of May, 2003, your husband Lemeki Livani came home drunk and had an argument with you.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He was in the habit of having extra-marital affairs, drinking and of staying out late.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He slept and woke up at 7am when the argument continued.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He stood up to assault you and you ran outside.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
When you returned to the house, you picked up a pot of boiling water on the stove and threw it over Lemeki.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
He received 45-50% burns and you also got burnt in the process.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Lemeki went to hospital in a taxi.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He died 6 days later of septicaemia as a result of infected burn wounds.
\par 
\par On your behalf you yourself gave evidence of your unstable marriage, frequent assaults, and on-going infidelities.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
You also gave evidence that Lemeki left you in the past, to bring up your son alone, and that you worked in a garment factory to survive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 You also gave evidence that he frequently assaulted you and that on the 4th of May you suddenly lost control and threw the water over him in anger.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 You had never reported his assaults on you to the police because of shame and fear.
\par 
\par Your sister-in-law Ana Waisale and your landlord Mahendra Prasad gave evidence which supported what you said.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Your counsel has urged me also to read the statement of Lemeki Junior, your son, on the depositions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 I have done so.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He also said that throughout his life he can recall frequent arguments about his father\rquote 
s infidelities, and that every argument concluded with an assault by his father on you.
\par 
\par I note that you visited Lemeki in hospital every day before his death, that you took his dinner daily and spent every night at his side.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 I also accept that before his death, you and Lemeki apologised to each other and reconciled, and that Lemeki forgave you for what you had done.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 All this is not only before me in sworn evidence, but is also contained in the statement you gave to the police on the 11th and 13t
h of May 2003.
\par 
\par The tariff for manslaughter in Fiji is a suspended sentence to 12 years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 (}{
\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Shashi Kapoor Rayan}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 \endash v- State}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690  Crim. App. AAU0028 of 2000S.)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Sentences at the lower end of the scale are reserved for those cases where the violence used was minimal and the provocation offered was grave.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Shashi Kapoor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
, the Court of Appeal noted that sentences for manslaughter of a serious kind range from 7 to 10 years.
\par 
\par With the wide range in the tariff, picking a starting point can become fraught with value judgments as to what a \'93serious\'94 manslaughter is.
\par 
\par Objectively, this is a serious case of manslaughter.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
The throwing of boiling water on another person cannot fall into the same category of a \'93single punch\'94 or a drunken brawl manslaughter.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 No matter 
how grave the provocation, a starting point lower than 3 years imprisonment would be difficult to justify, particularly when the deceased died a painful death 6 days after the event.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 I therefore start at 3 years imprisonment.
\par 
\par There are compelling mitigating circumstances.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 One is your justifiable anger about the deceased\rquote 
s cavalier treatment of you, his infidelities and his continuous violent conduct.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Another is the fact that it was when he stood to strike you that you threw the boiling water on him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Undoub
tedly you knew of the assault that was about to be inflicted on you.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Another mitigating factor is your remorse, and the way in which you demonstrated that remorse in your nightly visits to your husband at the hospital.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Finally, I take into account your guilty plea and previous good character.
\par 
\par For all these matters, I reduce your sentence to 18 months imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Is this a case for suspension? I note that section 29(3) of the Penal Code provides a legislative disapproval of suspending sentences in cases o
f violence. I also take into account the plight of your 10 year old son, whom you are supporting and educating alone.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
His welfare is a primary consideration in this case.
\par 
\par Finally, I consider the fact that your act of violence was committed after years of emotional and physical abuse in the hands of the deceased.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 There is no expert evidence before me as to whether your case falls into the category often referred to by criminologists as \'93the battered wife syndrome.\'94}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 However I find in your case that some of t
he characteristics, usually present in cases of victims of abusive relationships, are present.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
The characteristics usually found are:
\par 
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{\pntxta .}}\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3618690 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
The victim is ashamed and afraid of reporting the abuse;
\par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard\plain \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3618690 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
The victim tends to relive her experiences and if put in fear, her thinking may not be clear and rational;
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The victim is acutely aware of any signal of danger from her partner;
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The victim stays in the abusive relationship because she fears that the partner will find her or take revenge;

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlcont\ilvl0\ls0\pnrnot0\pndec }\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par {\pntext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-720\li1440\ri0\widctlpar{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent360\pnsp120\pnhang {\pntxta .}}
\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The victim may believe that she will one day be killed by her partner.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 (}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
Osland v. The Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690  (1998) HCA 75 High Court of Australia)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par In an article in the Otago Law Review, Robertson J (}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Battered Women Syndrome: Expert Evidence In Action}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
 Otago Law Review 1998 Vol. 9 No. 2), said that the question of whether the \'93battered woman syndrome\'94
 applied to the facts of any case, either in relation to the defence of provocation or of self-defence, depended on whether the defences could accommodate the length and nature of the abuse.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 In particular courts usually had to consider expert evidence about whether a \'93cycle of violence\'94 existed as it did in a classic case of domestic violence.
\par 
\par This is not an appropriate case to consider whether such a cycle existed in your case.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 You are not on trial, and 
the question of the abuse you suffered is relevant only to the sentence I must impose on you.
\par 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 R \endash v- Wang}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
 (1989) 2 NZLR 529, the Court of Appeal considered a five year sentence imposed on a woman who stabbed her husband while he was asleep, and who was convicted of manslaughter.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 He had made threats to kill her before he fell asleep, and there was medical evidence that the accused was suffering from depression at the time.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The trial judge found that there was no remorse, and no acceptance of other options available to her, in hindsight.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 The Court of Appeal held that the sentence was not excessive.
\par 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 R \endash v- Ross}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
 (1992) 9 CRNZ 55, a 12 month sentence for manslaughter was quashed and substituted with a 4 year term where the accused killed the deceased, her p
artner after an unstable relationship over some years, and where the Court held that the offence had been planned and deliberated and had not resulted from mental disorder.
\par 
\par In }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 State v. Prabha Wati}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690  Case No. 0009 of 1999L Prakash J found that the accused, w
ho pleaded guilty to manslaughter, had been subjected to 35 years of sexual, mental and physical abuse, that her case was a case of continued spousal abuse causing the accused to suddenly retaliate, and that in those circumstances, a sentence of 2 years s
uspended for 2 years was the appropriate sentence.
\par 
\par The question of suspension must therefore rest on the peculiar circumstances of the case.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
In your case, I accept the lack of planning, the sudden \'93snap\'94 after years of emotional and physical abuse, the anticipation of assault when the deceased stood up, your remorse and the welfare of your child.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 In all these circumstances I consider it just to suspend your sentence for two years.
\par 
\par You are sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3618690  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 If you re
-offend within the next two years you may be sentenced to serve the 18 months I have imposed today together with the term imposed for the new offence.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3618690 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14887476\charrsid3618690 
\par At Suva
\par 11th February 2004
\par }}