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\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid12258032 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. HAA 35 OF 2010}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 BETWEEN:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 LUKE RAVUWAI
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 AND:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 Respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 Appellant in Person
\par Ms}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500  S. Tagivakatini for the State/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 Respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 Date of Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 3 March 2010
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 Date of Judgment:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 19 March 2010}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid724262 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 [1] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 On the 19}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid16127500\charrsid16127500 th}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 May 2009 at the Nausori Magistrates Court the appellant was convicted of one count of robbery with violence, contrary to sec
tion 293(1)(a) of the Penal Code, Chapter 17, Laws of Fiji. He was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment. He now appeals both his conviction and sentence.
\par 
\par [2]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 The facts at trial were that on the 26}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid16127500\charrsid16127500 th}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500\charrsid724262 November}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262  2008, the accused with 2 others broke into the com
plainant's house at 2.10am when he and his family were sleeping. They forcefully woke the occupants, kicked and punched the complainant and threatened to kill his family. They were armed with a cane knife, a chisel and punch bars. They ransacked the house
 for about 1 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500 \'bd}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
 hours and stole $6053 cash, watches worth $1350, ball pens $1200, cufflinks $520, jewellery $7155, 3 cigarette lighters, fishing spear gun, fishi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500 ng knives, 3 digital cameras $1}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 200, one ipod $1045, 2 sunglasses $600, cosmetics $25, 3 mobile phones $350; all to the total value of $19,793.00.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 [3] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
The appellant has filed written grounds for his appeal and the State has filed written submissions in response. Both parties seek to rely on those written submissions.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [4]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
The appellant bases his appeal against conviction on a multitude of grounds, most of which ask this Court to revisit the evidence at trial. He disputes the Magistrate's finding on the voir dire, he states that he was not allowed to cross examine the compl
ainant, he claims the Magistrate was biased, he was denied his legal}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
counsel of choice, the Magistrate didn't consider his alibi, the knife exhibited did not match the knife }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 "stated"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
 etc.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 [5] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 It is difficult to isolate any one ground of merit in this obvious }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 "catch-all"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262  list of complaints, however in additional grounds }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500\charrsid724262 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500 iled}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500\charrsid724262  later}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262  he goes on to claim that the Magistrate did not deliver a written judgment, that the prosecution case was weak, that there was no direct, real or circumstantial evidence and that 
the rules of procedure were not properly followed by "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 criminal justice officials"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 , and finally that the charge is }
{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 "unconstitutional"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [6] The trial was conducted by a very senior and experienced Magistrate, and the Court Record does not reveal any impropr
ieties at trial or at the judgment stage. The appellant waived his right to counsel and was invited by the Court to cross examine the complainant. He appears not to have asked any questions. The procedures of trial within a trial were explained to the app
e
llant at trial and the record shows that he stated he understood. He then gave an unsworn statement in his defence on the trial within a trial and called no witnesses. The Magistrate gave a perfectly proper and well-reasoned ruling at the end of the trial
 within a trial, ruling that the statement was voluntarily made and admissible, and the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
Magistrate quite fairly left the ultimate discretion to admit it until the end of the trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 [7] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 A proper judgment was de
livered by the Magistrate and it is quite apparent from reading the judgment that it was well considered and reflected upon the Magistrate finding that the only evidence available to him was the appellant's confession and he relied on that to find the pro
secution's case proved beyond reasonable doubt.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [8]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
Nowhere on the record is revealed evidence of any one of the grounds raised by the appellant. The only evidence against the appellant was the caution statement and it is obvious that he feels aggrieved by this state of affairs. The practice of }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 "scatter gun"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
 grounds, that is multiple grounds relied upon, in case one of them might be of merit, is to be deprecated.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [9]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 The appeal against conviction fails.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid12258032 Sentence
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [10)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 In his appeal against sentence, the a
ppellant submits that the term of ten years is excessively harsh and that the proper tariff should be in the range of 4 to 6 years.
\par 
\par [11] Sentences for robbery with violence are now regularly exceeding terms of 10 years imprisonment. In the case of }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 State v Rokonabete & Others}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
 - HAC 118 of 2007 Goundar J. in dealing with sentences for robbery with violence, invoked the authorities of English cases which the Fiji Court of Appeal had said that Fiji Courts should be following (}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 Basa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262  AAUU 24 of 2005). }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16127500 I}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6516225  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 followed this case in }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid16127500 State v Turagakula and Another}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262  (HAC 057/2008) where I said }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid10247586 
"in recent years the Courts have consistently said they will no longer tolerate such highly anti-social behaviour and sentences in the range of ten to fifteen years will now be the norm".
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [12]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 
In those circumstances, a sentence of nine years for a very violent robbery cannot be said to be harsh and improper. The sentence appeal must fail.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid724262 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 [13]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 The appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12258032 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 Paul K. Madigan
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 Judge}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032\charrsid12258032 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid724262 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12258032 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid724262\charrsid724262 At Suva
\par 19 March 2010
\par }}