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Department}{\nofcharsws6293}{\vern16391}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot10511988 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1059710 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA0}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 030 OF 2004S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 Between:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988\charrsid12988850 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 ELIZABETH JOSEPH \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 Appellant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 And:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988\charrsid12988850 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12988850 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 THE STATE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 2nd April 2004 \par Judgment:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10511988 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 8th April 2004 \par \par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 Mr. S. Matawalu}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 for Appellant \par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid12988850 Ms K. Bavou}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 for State \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par The Appellant was convicted of the following offence, on her plea of not guilty: \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 Statement of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1769923 ASSAULT OCCASIONING ACTUAL BODILY HARM}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 : Contrary to Section 245 of the Penal Code, Act 17. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 ELIZABETH JOSEPH d/o CHANDRA JOSEPH, on the 21st day of May, 2003 at Suva, in the Central Division, assaulted SUSHILA DEVI d/o RAM NARAYAN, occasioning her actual bodily harm. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 \par She was convicted on the 13th of February 2004 and sentenced on the same day to 4 months impris}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 onment. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 She now appeals ag}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ainst conviction and sentence. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 Counsel informed me that of the 4 month term imposed, she has serve d 1 month in custody and has now been released to serve the balance extra-murally. \par \par Her grounds of appeal are that the conviction is not supported by the evidence, and that the sentence was wrong in principle because the Appellant is a first of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 fender with a 12 year old son. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 At the hearing of this appeal, counsel also sought leave to argue an additional ground of appeal, that is, that the prosecution had failed to disclose the pros}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ecution case to the Appellant. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 However the prosecution produced by affidavit and annexure, a disclosure certificate signed by the Appellant, acknowledging receipt of the prosecution documents so this groun}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 d has no merit at all. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The Appellant says that she should have got fresh disclosure after the charge was amended to t he lesser charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (the original charge being act with i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ntent to cause grievous harm). }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 However as the evidence on both charges were exactly the same, I see no prejudice to her at all. \par \par The evidence led at the trial was that Sushila Devi is the legal wife of Dinesh Prasad wit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 h whom she has had 3 children. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 It was not in dispute that the Appellant was having}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 an affair with Dinesh Prasad. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 On 21st May 2003, the Appellant came to their home at 9am and started to dr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ink yaqona with Dinesh Prasad. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 She started to argue with Sushila Devi, and Dinesh Prasad gave the Appellant a stick to beat Sushila Devi with.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 Sushila Devi reported the matter to the police, and the police gave the Appellant and Dinesh Prasad a warning. \par \par At 2pm, the Appellant and Dinesh Prasad went into the bedroom because the Appellant said she had a headache and she wanted to sleep with Dine}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 sh Prasad. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 After a while Dinesh Prasad brought his }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 underwear for his wife to wash.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The Appellant then took out a penknife which Sushila Devi identified, a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 nd tried to stab Sushila Devi. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 When Sushila Devi tried to protect herself she received a cut on her}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 hand. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The medical report described the cut as a 4cm long and 1cm deep c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ut on the right little finger. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 Sushila Devi told the doctor the same thing she told the court and was reported to be distressed. \par \par Under cross-examination, Sushila Devi said that she did not hit the Appellant in retaliation and that the Appellant was always visiting their house and was naked there. \par \par Sushila Devi reported the matter to the police and showed the po}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 lice the penknife used on her. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The Appellant was interviewed under caut}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 ion. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 She said that she often visited Dinesh Prasad at his home and that on her visits }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 she did not speak to his wife. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 She said she did not hit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 Sushila Devi with a penknife. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 She did not offer any explanation for Sushila Devi\rquote s injury. \par \par The Appellant in her sworn evidence adopted her caution statement in evidence-in-chief. Under cross-examination she was not asked how Su}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 shila Devi received her injury.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 However when she had cross-examined the investigating officer, she had suggested to him that Dinesh had cut the Appellant\rquote s finger with a \'93toy\'94. \par \par The Appellant called}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 Dinesh Prasad as her witness. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He said that his wife, Sushila Devi had thrown a toy at him and tha}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 t he had hit her with the toy. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He said that his wife had lied on oath and that she had now left the house. \par \par In his judgment the learned Magistrate clearly accepted the comp}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 lainant\rquote s version of the facts.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He said that the injury was co nsistent with being caused by a sharp object and that the police had seized the penknife on the day of the assault. He commented that the defence witness Dinesh Prasad had been sitting in the courtroom throughout the trial, and said that it was obvious t o him that Dinesh Prasa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 d was protecting his mistress. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He accepted the prosecution version of the facts and convicted the Appellant. \par \par Given the nature of the evidence,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 his findings are unsurprising.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The Appellant said nothing about a toy in her caution state ment and only mentioned a toy for the first time in}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 her charge statement in July. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 Further, both she and Dinesh Prasad were strangely non-specific about the exact nature of a toy which could cause a 4 x 1cm}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 cut on Sushila Devi\rquote s finger. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 I note that Sushila Devi said she had been cut on the left hand, while her medical report stated that an injury had been found o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 n her right hand.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 I do not think that this inconsistenc}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 y cast doubts on her evidence. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 Clearly the learned Magistrate had no difficulty accepting the evidence of the complainant. \par \par The evidence supported the conviction and the appeal against conviction is dismissed. \par \par The Appellant is a first}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 offender and has a young son. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 The court found the offending to be serious because of the use of the penknife and the fact that the Appellant went into the home o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 f Sushila Devi to assault her. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He took into account the fact that she had been invited there by Dinesh Prasad but was unable to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 pass a non-custodial sentence. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 He sentenced her to 4 months imprisonment. \par \par The Appellant say}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 s this is harsh and excessive. I do not agree. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 An assault using a weapon is a serious matter, normally r}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 equiring a custodial sentence. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 A starting point of 12 months imprisonment might have been appropriate in this case with a discount of 6 months for good character and t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 he circumstances of her child. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 A term of 6 months imprisonment might }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1769923 have been appropriate. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid10511988 In all the circumstances, the 4 month term imposed is not excessive, nor wrong in principle. \par \par The appeal against sentence is also dismissed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1059710 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 \par At Suva \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10511988 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5129815\charrsid1059710 8th April 2004 \par }}