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Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\author sam_f}{\operator hamilton_l}{\creatim\yr2011\mo8\dy25\hr14\min29}{\revtim\yr2011\mo9\dy19\hr14\min55}{\version5}{\edmins16}{\nofpages2} {\nofwords585}{\nofchars3336}{\*\company scims}{\nofcharsws3914}{\vern24689}}\paperw12441\paperh16137\margl2206\margr1846\margt1101\margb962 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\subfontbysize\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale150\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot8346028 \fet0\sectd \linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\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\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 AT SUVA \par APPELLATE JURISDICTION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 HIGH COURT CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA 010 OF 2010}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 MAGISTRATES COURT TRAFFIC CASE NO.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 02 of 2010}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 BETWEEN:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 MAKERETA IRAVA TOMASI \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 APPELLANT}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 AND:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 STATE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 RESPONDENT}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16474203 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 Appellant}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 In person \par Respondent -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 Ms. Ratakele. N.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 Date of Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 29}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 June, 2010. \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 Date of judgment}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 2}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 nd}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 July, 2010.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16474203 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 1. This is an appeal against the sentence imposed by Magistrate's Court. The appeal is within appealable time.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 2. Appellant, Makereta Irava Tomashi, stood charged before the Magistrate's Court, Rotuma under Section 49(3) and 87 of the Land Transport Act No 35 of 1998. The charge was sequel to her driving of the motor vehicle bearing no. CY 351 on 06.11. 2009 witho ut the vehicle being duly registered.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 3. When the case was taken up on 07.01}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 2010, the appellant appearing in person, pleaded guilty to the charge.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 Summary of facts, as read-out }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 by the police-sergeant who appeared for the prosecution, was admitted by the a ppellant. The appellant attributed the commission of the offence to her forgetfulness. Further, a plea of mitigation was submitted to court by way of an apology and she applied for leniency of court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 4. The District}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 Officer, Rotuma, who was a 2}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid941169\charrsid941169 nd}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 class Ma gistrate, found that the appellant was a first offender and that she had not paid the licence fee or the wheel-tax for three months. There is no complaint about these conclusions by the learned Magistrate. The learned Magistrate ruled that:}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 'I have taken into consideration the high rate of traffic offences committed in Fiji and Rotuma and}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 that you also failed to pay your licence for quite a while. With your role in the village, people will learn from you and that you should know your responsibilities as the owner of a motor vehicle.' \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16474203 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 5. In sentencing remarks, the learned Magistrate said:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid941169 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 'I am giving you a fine of $500.00 in accordance with the Land Transport Authority Act. 35 of 1998 contrary to Section 49(3) and 87. 2 Dements points also will be deducted from your driving }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169\charrsid15290942 licence. Failure}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 to the above will activate a 3 month}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 }{ \i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 community service within the Government Station.' \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16474203 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 6. At the hearing before me, the appellant submitted that the imposition of $ 500 and 2 de-merit points on her driving licence were too harsh and disproportionate in the circumstances of the case. It was also submitted t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 hat the Magistrate, being a 2}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid941169\charrsid941169 nd}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 class magistrate, did not}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 have jurisdiction to impose $500 as a fine; and, the maximum fine that could have been imposed was only $200.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 7. Learned Counsel, appearing for the State conceded that the sentencing Magistrate did not have juris}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 diction to impose the fine of $}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 500; and, the maximum fine, that coul}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 d have been imposed, was only $}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 200. Learned counsel er submitted that the appellant being a first offender, further leniency should have been extended to the appellant. Moreover, the learned State Counsel relied on } {\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid941169 'Vilimone vs State'}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 [2008]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 FJHC 12; HAA 131-132/2007 and submitted that the learn ed Magistrate has not accorded due concession to the early guilty plea of the appellant. She submitted that an early guilty plea made the appellant entitled to the reduction of the sentence by one third of the maximum punishment. She submitted that, havin g taken into account all mitigatory factors, a fur}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 ther reduction of the fine by $}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 50 and de-merit points by one, would be an appropriate sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 8. I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 accept these submissions and rule that there is merit in the appeal in the above circumstances.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 9. I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 se}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 t aside the fine of $}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 500 and sub}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4277748 stitute in its place a sum of $}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 150 as the fine and impose only one de-merit point on the licence of the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 10.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 Whilst agreeing with the remarks made by the learned Magistrate concerning the appellant, as quoted in pa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid941169 ragraph 4, I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 allow the appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid16474203 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 11.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 The Appeal is allowed and orders are accordingly made}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942 to the extent as set-out above.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid16474203 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 Priyantha Nawana \par Puisne Judge}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15290942\charrsid15290942 \par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15290942 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16474203\charrsid15290942 02/07/2010 \par }}