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{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author ruddley_e}{\operator ruddley_e}{\creatim\yr2010\mo6\dy1\hr13\min24}{\revtim\yr2010\mo6\dy1\hr14}{\version1}{\edmins5}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords681}{\nofchars3885}{\*\company PacLII}{\nofcharsws4557}{\vern24689}}
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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT LAUTOKA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 CRIMINAL CASE NO. HAC 024 OF 2008
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 STATE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 KARALAINI WATI
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\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Mr. T. Qalinauci for the State
\par Mr. T. Tevere (as duty solicitor) for the Accused
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Date of Hearing:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 25 May 2010
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Date of Sentence:}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 1 June 2010
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 SENTENCE
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\par [1]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 On the 13th
 May 2010, the accused pleaded guilty in this Court to one charge of unlawful possession of illicit drugs contrary to section 5(a) of Illicit Drug Control Act 2004.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 On the 25th May 2010 she admitted the summary of facts and was convicted of the offence.
\par 
\par [2]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 The facts of this case are that a Police Officer saw the accused acting suspiciously at about 8.15am on the 27th
 March 2007 at Draiba village.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Later he stopped a carrier travelling towards Sigatoka town and searched it.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Sitting at the back was the accused together with a man.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 She had a big black Puma bag at her feet.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
The officer searched the bag and found small parcels wrapped in cloth which containing dried leaves.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 The leaves were sent to be 
analysed by a Government Analyst who certified that the leaves were cannabis sativa weighing 3,370 grams.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
The accused made frank admissions to the offence when interviewed under caution on the 28th March 2007.
\par 
\par [3]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Counsel for the Accused tells me that the accused is 33 years old and is unemployed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 She earns small change selling vegetables in the market.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
She used to be married to her co-accused in this case but now is estranged from him and lives in a }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 de facto}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
 relationship with another man and his two children.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 That man is also unemployed.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 One of the }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 de facto}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896  partner\rquote 
s children is about to give birth and the accused asks for leniency so that she can assist with the new born.
\par 
\par [4]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 The accused ask for the Court\rquote s leniency in recognizing her plea of guilty
, her clear record, and her remorse; all of which she will receive credit for.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
In addition to that she asks that she be given credit for her former husband\rquote s violence occasioned towards her, his degree of control and coercion over her and the threats made to her life if she did not assist in the transportation of drugs.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Finally she pleads depression as evidenced by a report from the Nadi Women\rquote 
s Crisis Centre which states that she has been sexually, physically, emotionally and verbally abused by her former husband.
\par 
\par [5]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
The maximum penalty for this offence is imprisonment for life or a fine of $1,000,000 or both; and this reflects the obvious severity for which the legislature had regard for this offence.
\par 
\par [6]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 In }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 State v Kini Sulua}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896  (2008), Goundar J. passed a sentence of 8 years on a convict who too was travelling on board a public vehicle to Sigatoka with a bag of leaves.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 He was carrying 5203 grams of cannabis sativa.
\par 
\par [7]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Counsel for the Accused seeks to rely on the precedent of }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 State v}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896  }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Merewalesi Kuru}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
 (HAC 199 of 2008) when Goundar J. in sentencing for this same offence discharged the accused without conviction for possession of 484.7 grams of cannabis.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 In that case the accused had given herself up to the police whilst in possession of the drug in a desperate attempt to be imprisoned and be given refuge from an abusive husband.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 The Judge said he did not impute a moral blame on the accused.
\par 
\par [8]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 That case can be distinguished from the instant case in that the amount of drugs was much less, and that th
e accused on this case did not give herself up but was acting furtively in an attempt to sell the drugs.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
It seems however that she was a victim of abuse.
\par 
\par [9]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 This being a serious offence and in carrying a large amount of drug (3,370 grams) I take a starting point of 7 years imprisonment.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 For the plea of guilty and early co-operation, as well as for the clear record, I deduct 3 years from that.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Family circumstances carry little weight in mitigation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 She is 33 and fully aware of the implications of her criminal activities.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 
Her claims of coercion do not ring true when placed in juxtaposition to the reasons given in her caution statement for committing the offence: that is to sell it to others }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 due to financial problem}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 There is no evidence before me that her }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 will was sapped}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896  and that she acted solely on the compulsion of her husband.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 However, as an act of mercy and on the evidence before me of severe and long term domestic violence occasioned to the accused I do deduct a further 18 months meaning tha
t she will serve a term of imprisonment for 2 years 6 months.
\par 
\par [10]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 I decline to stipulate a minimum term to be served.
\par 
\par [11]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 The drugs are to be destroyed within 14 days and a report to that effect made to this Court.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 Paul K. Madigan
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1080896 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1080896\charrsid1080896 At Lautoka
\par 1 June 2010}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1972231\charrsid1080896 
\par }}