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Noke}{\propname _ReviewingToolsShownOnce} \proptype30{\staticval }}{\*\xmlnstbl }\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1800\margr1800\margt1440\margb1440\gutter0 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180 \dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale85\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct\asianbrkrule\rsidroot14165092 \fet0 {\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid13569874\sftnbj {\headerl \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\wraparound\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13569874 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid3212163 PAGE }}{\fldrslt }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\cs16\insrsid3212163 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3212163 \par }}{\headerr \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\wraparound\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13569874 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst { \cs16\insrsid3212163 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid4994789 3}}}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\cs16\insrsid3212163 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3212163 \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\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI \par AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Criminal Appeal No: HAA 026 of 2007 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6190766\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Between:}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 JONACANI NACANI \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Appellant \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 And:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 THE STATE \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Respondent \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6190766\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 13th April 2007 \par Judgment:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 20th April 2007 \par \par Counsel:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 Appellant in person \par Ms A. Tuiketei for State \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6190766\charrsid1138599 \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 JUDGMENT \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 On the 1st of August 2006, }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10057060\charrsid1138599 the Appellant escaped from lawful custody, by cutting and opening a window grill at Korovou Prison and climbing over the prison wall.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10057060\charrsid1138599 He was at large until the 7th of September 2006 and was }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13459192\charrsid1138599 charged with the criminal offence of escaping from lawful custody.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13459192\charrsid1138599 His case was called in the Suva Magistrates\rquote Court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13459192\charrsid1138599 He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a consecutive term of 9 months imprisonment.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13459192\charrsid1138599 He was later taken before a prison tribunal an}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 d punished again for the escape.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 He lost privileges, including remission, for 2 months and 18 days.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 He now appeals against sentence saying that the 9 month term is harsh and excessive, and that he has been punished twice for the same offence.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14165092\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 \par State counsel agrees that he has been punished twice.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 However, she submits that the 9 month term imposed is within the tariff, and that no charge should have been brought against him by the Tribunal once he had been sentenced by the courts.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 However she says that the Appellant\rquote s remedy is in a review of the decision of }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 the Prisons Tribunal.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 She confirmed that the Appellant was disciplined by the Prison Tribunal on the 26th of September 2006 for the offence of escaping from lawful custody, contrary to Regulation 123(3) of the Regulations, and that he lost one month\rquote s remission.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 The Officer-in-Charge then endorsed the decision of the Prison Tribunal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10188842\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 \par The 9 month term imposed by the Suva Magistrates\rquote Court was indeed within the tariff.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 In mitigation the Appellant had told the court that he was 27 years old, married with one child.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 He }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 was serving a 7 year term, and was due for release in 2009.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 He had a large number of previous convictions most of which were imposed in November 2003.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 None were for escaping.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 The learned Magistrate did not err in imposing the 9 month consecutive term.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 However, his term has now in effect, been lengthened by at least one month, because he was punished again by the Prison Tribunal.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12215393\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 \par The question of double jeopardy in these circumstances was recently considered by the Court of Appeal in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 Joeli Tawatatau v. The State}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 Crim. App. AAU0002 of 2007}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 In that case, the magistrates\rquote court had imposed a 6 month term of imprisonment for escaping.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 That was reduced to 5 months by this court to take into account the two months loss of remission subsequently imposed by the Prisons Tribunal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 The Court of Appeal referred to section 20 of the Penal Code which defines the principle of autrefois convict which I set out fully:}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid921924\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1059263\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1059263\charrsid1138599 A person cannot be punished twice either under the provisions of this Code or under t he provisions of any other law for the same act or omission, except in the case where the act or omission is such that by means thereof he causes the death of another person, in which case he may be convicted of the offence of which he is guilty by reason of causing such death, notwithstanding that he has already been convicted of some other offence constituted by the act or omission.}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1059263\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 \par The Court of Appeal found that the Prisons Regulations were part of our written law, and that the prisoner }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 had been punish ed twice for the same offence and quashed the sentence imposed by the Magistrate.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 It }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13592435\charrsid1138599 f}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 ound at page 12:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4801961\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4994789 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 In future, once an escaper is charged }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1115771\charrsid1138599 in the Magistrates\rquote Court under section 138 of the Penal Code, no charge of escape under the Prisons Regulations should be brought until the result of the Magistrates\rquote }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919616\charrsid1138599 C}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1115771\charrsid1138599 ourt hearing is known.}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1115771\charrsid1138599 If the prisoner is punished by the Magistrate, no further charge of escape should be brought under the Regulations.}{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 "}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14818249\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1115771\charrsid1138599 \par In this case, the Appellant was }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1245921\charrsid1138599 punished again by the Prisons Tribunal and there therefore was a breach of the autrefois convict principle.}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1115771\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1245921\charrsid1138599 \par However, I have no jurisdiction to quash the finding of the Prison Tribunal.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1245921\charrsid1138599 The decision was endorsed by the Officer-in-Charge of the Korovou Prison, and the right of review is to the Commissioner of Prisons.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1245921\charrsid1138599 I have no confidence that the Appellant is able to seek such review on his own. \par \par For that reason I order that a copy of this judgment be sent to the Commissioner of Prisons, drawing his attention to }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 the contents of it, and inviting him to review the decision of the Prisons Tribunal in relation to the Appellant on the 26th of September 2006.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 I also order that a copy of the decision of the Fiji Court of Appeal in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 Joeli Tawatatau v. The State}{ \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 be sent for his attention for future cases of escaping.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1138599 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 The appeal is otherwise dismissed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1245921\charrsid1138599 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 Nazhat Shameem \par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1138599 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8016097\charrsid1138599 \par At Suva \par 20th April 2007 \par }}