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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Criminal Appeal }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 N}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 o. 73 of 1977}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 MANOA SOVATABUA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid5836872 v
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 REGINAM
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The appellant was convicted by the Magistrate's Court}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  Suva of the following offences:}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 First Count - Robbery with vi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
olence contrary to section 326(1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16664623 )}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 (b) of the Penal Code.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Second Count - Escaping from lawful custody contrary to section 130 of the Penal Code.}
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 Third Count -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
 Assaulting a police officer in due execution of his duty contrary to section 279(b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 of the Penal Code.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3751804 He was sentenced to 2 years'}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075  imprisonment on the first count and six m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 
onths' imprisonment on the second an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 d third counts the last two sentences}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 to be served concurrently.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par He appeals against his conviction on each}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 count.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 According }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 to the prosecution evidence one }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
Arjun, a taxi driver, had picked up three passengers in town after 9 p.m. and driven them}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  to L}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 aucala Beach }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 Estate. There he was}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075  asked to stop the car and to open th
e boot for them to load something. As he was doing this, one of them struck him on the face knocking him to the ground. The three of them then drove away in the car.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 Arj}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 un saw a police patrol car and reported the matter. Insp. Sharma, Const. Tevita and Ar
jun drove in the direction in which the taxi h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16384433 ad gone. N}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5182195 ear the Kinoya Power H}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 ouse, they saw the taxi parked, its interior and head lights on, its wipers working. Three men were seen running away from it towards the power house.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3496852  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Insp. Sharma caught hold of
 one and Tevita chased and caught another. Tevita got this man to get into the parked taxi. As he was about to close the door the man punched him on the face and ran away. Tevita, however, had known the ma}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3496852 n before and recognised him as M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 anoa Sovatabua, the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075  
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16384433 They could not catch him again}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075  that night }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 but Tevita informed Ins}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 p. Sharma of the identity of the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The man Insp. Sharma had arrested was charged and dealt with. Some days later}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Const. Tevita, who was under the impression that the app
ellant must also have been arrested and dealt with saw him at large outside the Court House at Suva and made enquiries. He was then arrested for these offences.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The appellant, at the trial denied that he was among the persons who had hired Arjun's taxi or that he was the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 person Tevita h}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 ad arrested that night. According to him he had been in Ra all that week planting cane on his family farm. He called his brother to giv}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 e evidence to the same effect. H}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 e also called, Isireli Cama, the man Insp. Sharma had arr
ested near Arjun's taxi that night. He told the Court that the appellant was "not }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075 the M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 anoa }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 who}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075  was with me.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 It was a different person who was with me".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15214279 To Court, h}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 e said he had been too drunk that night.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4542285\charrsid7698075 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The learned }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 agistrate rejected this evidence and 
the evidence of the appellant's alibi. He accepted Tevita's evidence and that of Arjun,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
the taxi driver, who positively identified the appellant and said that it was he who had punched him in the face and had later got behind the driving wheel.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The appellant's main ground of appeal is that the learned Magistrate erred in rejecting the defence evidence of his alibi.
\par 
\par This, however, was an issue of credibility and there was considerable positive evid}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 ence of identification before the learned M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
agistrate which he had no hesitation in accepting.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7698075\charrsid7698075  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
On an issue, such as this, it would be improper for an appellate court to upset the trial Magistrate's finding unless there were some compelling reason for doing so. I can find no such reason.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8878860 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 The ap}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 peal i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 s dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8878860 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3680576 (Sgd.)}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4135863  }{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid8878860 (G. Mishra)
\par Acting Chief Justice
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8878860 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7698075 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8878860\charrsid7698075 Suva,
\par 9th September 1977
\par }}