{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times};}
{\f132\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times};}{\f133\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times};}{\f135\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times};}
{\f136\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times};}{\f137\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times};}{\f138\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times};}
{\f139\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times};}{\f140\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times};}}{\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 \styrsid9515995 Normal;}{\*\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 \styrsid9515995 header;}{\*\cs16 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid9515995 page number;}}
{\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid811014\rsid862776\rsid1598413\rsid1972231\rsid2193419\rsid2309175\rsid2371452\rsid2504626\rsid2506087\rsid3176464\rsid3422714\rsid3810279\rsid3822112\rsid3831056\rsid4160285\rsid4329331
\rsid4331392\rsid4744076\rsid4815830\rsid4855016\rsid4931203\rsid5052173\rsid5062183\rsid5123780\rsid5592493\rsid5643559\rsid6060947\rsid6160848\rsid6514138\rsid6782860\rsid6953338\rsid7366506\rsid7483118\rsid7958375\rsid8016262\rsid8083724\rsid8270074
\rsid8524331\rsid8598875\rsid8790013\rsid8866877\rsid9189166\rsid9452663\rsid9455426\rsid9515995\rsid9776131\rsid10712439\rsid10749241\rsid11014019\rsid11292607\rsid11355540\rsid11404427\rsid11880640\rsid11928628\rsid12063525\rsid12081942\rsid12211158
\rsid12921552\rsid12931985\rsid12983114\rsid13198352\rsid13200519\rsid14055906\rsid14105686\rsid14108652\rsid14496123\rsid14510136\rsid14695321\rsid14967201\rsid15032169\rsid15159555\rsid15297671\rsid15405516\rsid15541791\rsid15560408\rsid15864576
\rsid15945946\rsid16592213\rsid16597937\rsid16671932}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title \'93this is a quote, has said, of me saying \'91this is a quote\'92\'94}{\author ruddley_e}{\operator ruddley_e}
{\creatim\yr2010\mo10\dy19\hr14\min22}{\revtim\yr2010\mo10\dy19\hr14\min24}{\version1}{\edmins2}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords657}{\nofchars3746}{\*\company scims}{\nofcharsws4395}{\vern24689}}
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1
\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct
\asianbrkrule\rsidroot9515995\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid12143917\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar
\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3627088 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid11277831 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {
\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid9515995 2}}}{\cs16\insrsid11277831 .
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11277831 
\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\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 
\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 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\pararsid9515995 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 CRIMINAL CASE NO. HAC 129 OF 2010L
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 STATE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 V}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 M. D.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par Mr. J. Singh for the State
\par Accused in Person
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Date of Hearing:}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 24 September & 7 October 2010
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Date of Sentence:}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 12 October 2010
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 SENTENCE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 [1]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 On the 16th
 September 2010 this accused entered a plea of guilty in the Ba Magistrates Court to one offence of rape contrary to sections 149 and 150 of the Penal Code, Cap. 17.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The particulars state that on the 23rd May 2009 at Koronubu, Ba he had unlawful carnal knowledge of (a girl) without her consent.
\par 
\par [2]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
This plea was entered after a voir dire ruling that his cautioned interview be admitted into evidence, however most oddly, the accused had entered a plea of guilty on his very first appearance on 17th
 June 2009, a fact that appeared to have been overlooked by both the Magistrate and the prosecution at later appearances.
\par 
\par [3]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The facts of the case which the accused admitted in the Court below reveals that on the 23rd May 2009 at about 5
.00pm, the accused who is the victim}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 s step father called her to work in the cassava patch 150 metres from their home.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 In the course of the work the accused took the victim farther away from the house to a dry creek bed.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Beside that creek he removed her and his own clothes and proceeded to lick her breasts, stomach and vagina.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 He then penetrated her and ejaculated.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 As a result she was infected with a sexually transmitted disease and her genitals were injured.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The accused confessed to Police in an interview under caution.
\par 
\par [4]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The victim was 13 years old at the time and a school student in Class 7.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 She lived in the same house with the accused, her step father.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
The victim had been left in the care of the accused when her mother had gone to town to shop.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 [5]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The accused is 40 years of age, and works as a farmer.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 He appeared most remorseful and asks the Court for forgiveness.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 He says that he succumbed to temptation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
He produced in Court a letter of reference from the head of the Tavua circuit of the M
ethodist Church, which letter sets out his family circumstances, including the poverty faced by the family if he is removed from them, and it also states that he has commenced training as a junior lay preacher, }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 having devoted his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 [6]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The State has filed concise but relevant submissions on sentence.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 [7]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Rape of children in Fiji is becoming far too prevalent.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 It is profoundly sad that girls of school age at an extremely vulnerable stage in their development should have to s
uffer the crushing indignity of this offence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 As Goundar J. said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
State v AV}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995  HAC 192 of 2008:
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 R
ape is the most serious form of sexual assault\'85Society cannot condone any form of sexual assaults on children\'85sexual offenders must be deterred from committing this kind of offence.}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Psychologists tell us that the emotional damage occasioned to child victims in sexual offences is immeasurable.
\par 
\par [8]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment, with the tariff for rape of a child being between ten and fifteen years.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 If rape of a child is not serious enough, the fact that she was your step daughter adds much to the severity of the offence.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 As a stepfather you have a role as her protector, role model and mentor.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Instead you shattered that role in a small period of which you call }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
temptation}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
Your relationship will never be the same again, nor could you expect it to be, nor should you deserve to be restored to a parental role in the future.
\par 
\par [9]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 For this heinous crime, I take a starting point in sentence of fifteen years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 For the highly aggravating circumstances in which you infected her with a sexually transmitted disease and caused injury to her vagina, I add to that term a further 3 years.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 You have powerful mitigation in your favour.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and you are obviously remorseful.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 You have spent less than 2 months in custody pending sentence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
For these mitigatory factors I reduce your sentence to one of 12 years and that is the sentence of the Court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 You will spe
nd 10 years in custody before you are eligible for parole.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 [10]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
It is to be noted that the names of the accused and that of the victim have been suppressed, in order that the victim may in anonymity be allowed to recover psychologically.
\par 
\par [11]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 You have 30 days to appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Paul K. Madigan
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9515995 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9515995\charrsid9515995 
\par At Lautoka
\par 12 October 2010
\par }}