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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\pararsid16661572 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 CRIMINAL CASE NO. HAC 129 OF 2010L
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 M. D.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par Mr. J. Singh for the State
\par Accused in Person
\par 
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Date of Hearing:}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 24 September & 7 October 2010
\par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Date of Sentence:}{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 12 October 2010
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 SENTENCE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 [1]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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 acc
used who is the victim}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572 '}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 s step father called her to work in the cassava patch 150 metres from their home.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 In the course of the work the accused took the victim farther away from the house to a dry creek bed.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Beside that creek he removed her and his own clothes and proceeded to lick her breasts, stomach and vagina.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 He then penetrated her and ejaculated.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 As a result she was infected with a sexually transmitted disease and her genitals were injured.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 The accused confessed to Police in an interview under caution.
\par 
\par [4]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 The victim was 13 years old at the time and a school student in Class 7.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 She lived in the same house with the accused, her step father.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
The victim had been left in the care of the accused when her mother had gone to town to shop.
\par 
\par [5]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 The accused is 40 years of age, and works as a farmer.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 He appeared most remorseful and asks the Court for forgiveness.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
He says that he succumbed to temptation.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
He produced in Court a letter of reference from the head of the Tavua circuit of the Methodist 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\insrsid16661572 "}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 having devoted his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par 
\par [6]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 The State has filed concise but relevant submissions on sentence.
\par 
\par [7]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Rape of children in Fiji is becoming far too prevalent.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 It is profoundly sad that girls of school age at an extremely vulnerable stage in their development should have to suffer the crushing indignity of this offence.}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 As Goundar J. said in }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 State v AV}{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572  HAC 192 of 2008:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572 "}{
\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Rape 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\insrsid16661572 "}{\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\i\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Psychologists tell us that the emotional damage occasioned to child victims in sexual offences is immeasurable.
\par 
\par [8]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 As a stepfather you have a role as her protector, role model and mentor.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Instead you shattered that role in a small period of which you call }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
temptation}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572 "}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 .}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 For this heinous crime, I take a starting point in sentence of fifteen years.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 You have powerful mitigation in your favour.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and you are obviously remorseful.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{
\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 You have spent less than 2 months in custody pending sentence.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
For these mitigatory factors I reduce your sentence to one of 12 years and that is the sentence of the Court.}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
You will spend 10 years in custody before you are eligible for parole.
\par 
\par [10]}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
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\insrsid16661572  }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 You have 30 days to appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.
\par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Paul K. Madigan
\par }{\b\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16661572 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16661572\charrsid16661572 
\par At Lautoka
\par 12 October 2010
\par }}