{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}
{\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f173\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f174\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f176\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}
{\f177\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f178\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f179\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f180\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}
{\f181\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f193\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f194\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f196\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}
{\f197\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f198\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);}{\f199\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f200\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}
{\f201\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;
\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\s1\qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{
\s2\qc \li4320\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin4320\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}
{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar
\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 header;}{\*\cs16 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3762234\rsid5050704\rsid12999308}
{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Administrator}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo2\dy21\hr14\min31}{\revtim\yr2006\mo3\dy7\hr16\min11}{\printim\yr2005\mo9\dy29\hr9\min51}{\version4}{\edmins3}
{\nofpages2}{\nofwords563}{\nofchars3212}{\*\company Ministry of Justice}{\nofcharsws3768}{\vern16391}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180
\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\rsidroot3762234 \fet0\sectd 
\linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid3762234 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid12999308 2}}}{\cs16\insrsid3762234 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3762234 
\par }}{\*\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\pararsid12999308 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 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\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 Crim. App. No: HAA}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308\charrsid12999308 0}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 070 of 2005S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 Between:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 LUKE NAVUDA;
\par JOSEVA TUKANA,
\par SEVANAIA DONU;
\par SAIMONI LOGA;
\par FILIPE WILIKIBAU; and
\par APOROSA TUITOKOVA
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 Appellants
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308\charrsid12999308 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 THE STATE
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3762234 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
\par Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 16}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  September 2005
\par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 30}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  September 2005
\par 
\par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 Ms B. Malimali as Duty Solicitor for Appellants
\par Mr. A. Rayawa for State
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3762234 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
\par The Appellants who are villagers from Malawai, Gau were charged with throwing object and attempted arson for the 4}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
 Appellant.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 They appeal against sentences of 2\'bd
 years on Count 1, and 5 years imprisonment on Count 2, and against convictions on the ground that their pleas were not unequivocal.
\par 
\par The case was first called on the 8}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  of March 2005.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The charges were read and explained.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The prosecution amended the secon
d count to read a different victim and the charges were read again.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
The Appellants said they understood the charges and admitted them of their own free will.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 Facts were read out on the 15}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  of April 2005.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 All Appellants said that they maintained their guilty pleas.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
The facts were that on the 1}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 st}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
 of January 2005 the Appellants drank homebrew and were causing trouble in the village, between 1am and 2am.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
They then went to the house of Keverieli Vono and threw stones at it, breaking windows and the door.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The 4}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  Appellant then went inside the house and set fire to the window curtain.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The fire was put out by other villagers.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The turaga-ni-koro then reported the matter to police.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
When the Appellants were interviewed by the police they said they had caused trouble because of a chiefly title dispute.
\par 
\par These facts were admitted by the Appellants.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 Only the 5}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  Appellant had a previous record for shop-breaking entering and larceny in January 2002.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 In mitigation the Appellants expressed remorse and said they would not re-offend.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The 1}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 st}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
 Appellant said that he committed the offence whilst drunk.
\par 
\par The learned Magistrate sentenced each Appellant to 2\'bd years on Count 1, and to 5 years imprisonment in relation to the 4}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  Appellant on Count 2.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
They were to be served concurrently and concurrent to the sentences imposed on the other files.
\par 
\par The Appellants\rquote  grounds of appea}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308 l are identical to those in HAA0}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 067 of 2005 and HAA}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308 
00}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 73 of 2005.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 They are 
that they did not understand their pleas, that the facts did not disclose the offences, that they were subjected to police brutality and forced to plead guilty and that they were prejudiced by lack of representation.
\par 
\par The court record does not show that the Appellants were told of their rights to counsel.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12999308 However in HAA0}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 067 of 2005 they were so told and they waived their right.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
In that case, the charges were read and rights explained on the same day as this one, before the same magistrate.
\par 
\par The learned Magistrate made every effort to ensure that the Appellants understood the proceedings.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
Not only were the charges explained on the 8}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  of March 2005, but they were asked to plead again on the 15}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  of April 2005.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 The facts which were read were set out in simple terms.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
The Appellants said they understood them.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 In their mitigation they asked for forgiveness and said they would not re-offend.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 These matters suggest that the pleas were unequivocal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 As for their complaints of police assault, these complaints only reflect on the voluntariness of the pleas if the oppression led to forced guilty pleas.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
However the court record shows that the charges were explained and that the pleas of guilty were maintained more than a month after they left police custody.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 If they were indeed brutalized by the police, there is no link between such brutality and the sentencing hearing more than a month later.
\par 
\par The convictions stand.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 I will now hear the sentencing appeal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12999308 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid12999308 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3762234 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 
\par At Suva
\par 30}{\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234 th}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3762234\charrsid3762234  September 2005
\par }}