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\par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 This is an appeal by The State against a decision by the Magistrate to acquit the Respondent.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Firstly I\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  set out the history of the matter.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 
\par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 On the 11\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 th\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  October 2006 the Respondent was charged with \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 3 offences of defilement of a girl aged be\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
tween 13 and 16 years. On the 27\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 th\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  March 2009 amended charges were filed by the State; in effect, for the charges of defilement the State substituted allegations of rape r\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
elating to the same complainant and the same alleged incidents.\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 On the 3\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 rd\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  July 201\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 0 t\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 he trial took place before the M\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
agistrate. The State called 5 witnesses including the complainant\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , clearly a reluctant witness; the R\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
espondent did not give evidence but called 3 witnesses in his defence. The Magistrate delivered judgement on the 8\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 th\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  Sep\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 tember acquitting the R\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
espondent on each charge. It is clear from the judgement that the Magistrate was sure that sexual intercour\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 se had taken place between the R\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 espondent and\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the complainant
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  but was not sure that all the ingredients of the offence\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  of rape\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  had been proved\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , notably\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  proof of the absence
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  of consent. This court does not in any way depart from the \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 view of the facts taken by the M\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 agistrate.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 
\par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The complaint advanced by the State is that the Magistrate, having reached the conclusion that she was sure\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
 intercourse had taken place, did not direct herself to consider the kindred offence of defilement and, if she had, she would have found the Respondent guilty. 
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Accordingly this Court is asked to exercise the powers vested in it to substitute verdicts of \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 guilty of defilement for the verdicts of not guilty reached by the Magistrate.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 It is necessary to look at the powers vested in this court and then to consider whether on the facts of this particular case it would be just to exercise those powers.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Section\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  162(1) (f) of the Criminal Procedure Decree 2009 states that: 
\par 
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Where a person is charged with an offence but the court is satisfied that the evidence adduced in the trial supports a conviction only fo\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 r a lesser or alternative offence\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , the court may recor
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 d a conviction made after due process \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 for}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 :}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
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\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 for rape\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 In the case of }{\b\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Ali v State\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 (2008) FJCA 30 }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 the Appellant was convicted of defilement on appeal; he appealed to the Court of Appeal and the Court posed t\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 his question:
\par 
\par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 This ground of appeal presents a question of law.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{
\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The question is whether the High Court in its Appellate jurisdiction could convict of the kindred offence of defilement contrary to section 156 o\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 f the Penal C
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ode without givin\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 g the accused \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 an opportunity\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  to raise the statutory defence provided by that section?}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 They further stated:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 T
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 he powers \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 of the High C\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ourt on appeal are wide\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{
\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The court may make such other order in the matter as to it may see\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 m just, and may by such order\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  exercise any
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  power which the magistrates}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 '}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  court might have exercised.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 We therefore conclude that the High C\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ourt has the power to convict of the kindred offence of defilem\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
ent\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  and on appeal against acquittal on a charge of rape, pu\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 rsuant to section 176 of the C\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 riminal \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Procedure C\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
ode, provided no injustice is caused to the accused by such order}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 
\par }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 They then stated:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Whilst the High C
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ourt had the jurisdiction to convict the appell\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ant for defilement the power could\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  only have been exercised if\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  it may have seemed just.}{
\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Appellant\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ,\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  who was led to believe by
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the prosecution that he only had a rape charge to defend, after an acquittal of that charge, was convic\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ted on appeal for defilement\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
 without being notified of an available statutory defence, lead us to conclude that we c\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 annot rule out the possibility of injustice being done to the appellant}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 "}{
\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The case of }{\b\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Ali}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  is entirely in p\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
oint in relation to this appeal and the possibility of injustice test is clearly relevant on the facts of this particular case.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The accused was not \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 represented in court below;\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  he chose to conduct his defence to the charge of rape on the basis that sexual inter\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
course had never occurred. I\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 n connect\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ion with this appeal Counsel has referred to S. 215 of\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  th\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 e Crimes Decree No.\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
 44\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  of 2009\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  and\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ,\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  in particular\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ,\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  to S.\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  215
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 (2) which sets out\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the sta\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 tutory defence available to an Accused\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  in response to an a\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 llegation of defilement. 

\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 I\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  have no means of knowing what\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the Respondent}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 '}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
s\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  defence might have been had he been facing allegations of defilement, or\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , if\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  had he be\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 en made aware that this\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
 was a kindred offence for \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 which he might be convicted.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 I cannot assu\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
me that he would not have run\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , either alone or \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 in tandem\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , the statutory defence that would have been available to him, namely, that he believed on reasonable groun
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ds that the complainant was over 16 years of age.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 She was in fact 15 a\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
nd a schoolgirl, but those facts\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  would not have prevented him from running the statutory defence. \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 There was certainly no admission by the Respondent that he knew her age; all that he ad
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 mitted was knowledge that she was a schoolgirl.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Accordingly, it would not be right to conclude that the statutory defence would not have at the very least been available to the respondent.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The question of a kindred o\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ffence was never raised by the S\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 tate\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , nor \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 was it raised by the 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 M\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 agistrate\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 There was complete silence in
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  court below as to the availability of the kindred offence.
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 In those circumsta\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 nces it would be quite unjust\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  to substitute verd\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 icts of guilty of defilement;\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 only course therefore o\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 pen to this\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  court would be to send the case back to the magistrate\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  for a retrial on allegations of defilement
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 In relation to that submission\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , the case is now 4\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 \hich\f0  \'bd\loch\f0  years old and the \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 interests of justice tests need
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  to be considered.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 If the case is to be rem\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 itted to the M\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 agistrates}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 '}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  court for a\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  re-\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  trial on charges of defilement there will inevitably be some further delay\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  before the case is\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
 listed.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 The alleged complainant is now probably 20 years of age and it is highly unlikely that she has any more interes
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 t now in this case than she had at the time of the first trial, judging by her attitude and responses\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  at the time\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 ; they were certainly not fa\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 
vourable to the State}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 '}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 s case \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 .
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 This court has to take a view as to whether, applying the interests of justice test\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 , it would be right to send the case back for a retrial.}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  }{
\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 In my judgement, neither the in\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 terests of justice test nor the\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  public interest test is served by that course being taken.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Accordingly I do not direct to the case be returned to the \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 M\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 agistrates}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 '}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  cou\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 rt; the appeal by the state is refused\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  the verdicts of not guilty stand\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  a\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 nd the matter is now closed. 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\b\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 Graham Cottle
\par }{\b\f0\fs24\ul\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 JUDGE}{\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5573472 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5573472\charrsid5573472 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 At Suva
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 10\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0 th\hich\af0\dbch\af37\loch\f0  December, 2010
\par }}