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\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid15100537 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 (WESTERN DIVISION) \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15553501 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 AT LAUTOKA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15553501 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15553501 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501\charrsid2585462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15553501 Criminal Appeal No.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid15553501 37 of 1977 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1313038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 BETWEEN}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1313038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 REGINA \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid2585462 Appellate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15553501 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 AND \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1313038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 KANU PATEL}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16010647 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 s/}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15420500 o Parshotan D}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid2585462 ass}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid2585462 Respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1313038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2585462 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 Mr, Ik}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 bal Khan, Counsel for the Appellant \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537 Mr. G. P.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 Shankar, Counsel for the Respondent.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid2585462 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15100537 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1313038 JUDG}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid15100537 MENT}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid15100537 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2585462 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15100537\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 This is an appeal by the Crown against the orders of a magistrate in relation to two traffic offences arising out of an accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The respondent was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, all on 27th of May, 1976.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 On 7.10.76 he pleaded not guilty to all 3 offences.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 On 22}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 3.77 a charge of careless driving was substituted for that}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 of }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080\charrsid2585462 dangerous}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 driving and the other 2 charges remained unaltered. The accused then pleaded guilty to all 3 charges.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12073080\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The facts which the accused admitted revealed that the c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963 omplainant was driving on Queen}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 s Road and she slowed down behind a bus which had just stopped. The accused pulled out of a side road on her left without bothe}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963 ring to stop as he reached the m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 ain road and he collided with the rear of the complainant}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 s motor vehicle. The respondent did not stop but drove on towards }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963 N}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 adi and did not report the accident to the police.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963 The magistrate convicted him}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 on all 3 charges.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5439963\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The respondent was represented before the learned magistrate by }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12331207 Mr. G.P.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 Sha}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12331207 nkar who in mitigation said tha}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 t the acc}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12331207 used did not know there had been}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 an accident. He later heard the police were seeking hi}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12331207 m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 and went to the police station.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12331207\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560078\charrsid2585462 magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560078 imposed a fine of $}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15420500 30 on the careless driving charge}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 and discharged the respondent, "under S.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15420500 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 38", on each of the 2 re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560078 maining}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 counts. }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560078 N}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 o doubt the magistrate had }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 s. 38}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681\charrsid2585462 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 1) P.C. in mind.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560078\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 Th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 prosecutor submits that the orders discharging the respondent on c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 ounts}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 II and III are }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 anifestl}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 y}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 lenient.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The st}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 atement o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 f offence for failing to stop quotes }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 s. 43}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681\charrsid2585462 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 )}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681\charrsid2585462 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 a) Cap. 152 which r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 elates}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 to accidents involving personal injury. The facts}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 reveal no personal injury and the charge should be brought under }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 s.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 43(}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 1}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 ) (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 b).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 Again the offence of failing to report the accident quotes }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 s.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 43(}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 ) (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 a}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 ) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15420500 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 2) and 4(b) -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 whatever }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 all that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 ay}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 ean. Subsection}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 (1)}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 (a) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 is only concerned with failure to stop. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 S. 43}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 2) should be quoted}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 for failure}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 to report an accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 The offence of failing to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 stop is not part and parcel of the careless }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 driving off}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 ence and s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 hould not }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16267203 be treated as such. The two offences are }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 quite distinct from each other. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 Accidents occur without evidence of care}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 less drivin}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 g}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 but th}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 ere }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 is still}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 an obligation }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15420500 to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 stop under }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 s.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 43(}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 1). Similar comment applies to the offence of failing to report an accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8127792 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7012739 A careless driver involved in an accident may have a motive for not stopping. It may be to avoid }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16207745 the risk of prosecution by trying to avoid his}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 registration number from being noted, and to avoid having to compensate the aggrieved motorist. It is an anti-social attitude.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7012739 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 Similar observations apply to a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 failure to report the accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 \par Consequently where an accident is caused by careless driving a magistrate should not treat the failure to stop as trivial. In fact where failure to stop follows an accident in curring personal injury the maximum penalty is $400 or two years imprisonment. In }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885\charrsid6160580 Ramlal v R}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885\charrsid6160580 ,}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 Cr.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 App. 40/76, where death had resulted and the negligence of the accused was nominal the learned Chief Justice imposed a fine }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid872018 of $100 on the driving charge but took a much more serious view of the failure to stop and sentenced the accused to 6 months imprisonment. Even where no personal injury is caused the maximum penalty is $200 or 6 months imprisonment. Similar }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15540254 observation}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14690217 s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15540254 apply}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid872018 to a failure to report the accident. If the accused did not stop because he was on urgent business then, provided there is no personal}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6505630 injury, he should under s.43(1)}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid872018 report it to the police at the first opportunity within the next 24 hours.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9988885 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid872018 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5127361\charrsid12009517 Apart from t he question of sentence it appears very doubtful from the record whether the accused intended to plead guilty. Mr. G.P. Shankar pleaded in mitigation, that the respondent, was not aware of the accident. It has long been acknowledge that an accused can ple ad that he was not aware of the accident and could not be expected to stop. Occasionally the rear portions of heavy lorries, articulated vehicles or vehicles }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227\charrsid12009517 pulling tra}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8602732\charrsid12009517 ilers collide with something }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2428761 and}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227\charrsid12009517 cause damage quite unknown to the driver. It would be unfair to convict them for failing to stop or for failing to report it.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid872018 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 \par Of course the prosecutor may tender evidence such as the driver looking }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8662389 back }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 in the direction of the damage, that there was a noticeable jolt and crash or that the position and extent of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1718691 the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 damage is such that it may be inferred that he must have been aware of the accident, or evidence of some culpatory remark made by him. \par \par When an accused says I was not aware that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1718691 an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 accident had occurred and that is why I did not stop his}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9446174 statement amounts to a plea of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 not guilty. \par \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12266641 If it appears that a plea of guilty was tendered in mistake or due to some lack of understanding it can be set aside and a fresh plea taken. According to Archbold 367 at p. 159 if an accused did not intend to admit that he was guilty the court will entertain an appeal against conviction. In the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560162 instant}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12266641 case it seems that the accused did not i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1718691 ntend to plead. It is not logical to plead }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12266641 guilty to failing to stop after an accident }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1718691 and then by way of mitigation to further plead that he did not know that an accident }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12266641 had occurred.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2651227 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560162 \par In the instant case the accused is not appealing. The appeal comes from the Crown against sentence. As I have pointed out earlier it would seem that the Crown }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15038282 had cause to complain }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10560162 against}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13328369 the magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13328369 s attitude towards those two charges. He may have been strongly influenced by counsel}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13328369 s statement that the accused did not know an accident had occurred. If that is so then he must be taken to have accepted that explanation in which case it would have been advisable to obtain further assurance that there was no mistake in the accused}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13328369 s plea. Such an assurance }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 could only be given by withdrawing }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15038282 that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 part of the mitigation, which alleged that the accused was not aware of the accident.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12266641 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 \par Mr. G.P. Shankar in reply to my observations said the accused had told the police that he did not stop because he was in a hurry to reach Lautoka. However, he says his instructions were that the accused did not know there had been an accident. There is nothing in the record which inf}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15038282 ormed the m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 agistrate that the accused had told the police he did not }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5401735 stop because he was in a hurry.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 \par \par The Crown by presenting this appeal are inviting me to impose fines on the accused for the offences in }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10565658 question in }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14690217 lieu of the m}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 agistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 s discharge. But it would be unfair for me to impose fines on a n accused who proclaims inspite of his plea of guilty, that he committed no such offences. I would have to be satisfied that there was an unmistakable plea of guilty to each offence before imposing any penalty. \par \par The record should show quite unequivocally that the accused intended to plead guilty. If he maintains that he was no}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14690217 t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 aware of the accident then pleas of not guilty should be recorded. \par \par In the exercise of my powers of review I quash the convictions on the charges of failing to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14690217 stop and failing to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 re port an accident and set aside the conditional discharges. \par \par I return }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14690217 the proceedings to the learned m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 agistrate who shall require the accused to plead again to the two said offences. \par \par }\pard \qc \li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin2880\itap0\pararsid8655172 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501\charrsid15553501 (SGD) J.T. WILLIAMS}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260\charrsid15553501 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260\charrsid7416260 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2585462 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8655172 LAUTOKA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 , \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8655172 5th }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 August, 1977. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15553501 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 Director of Public Prosecutions for the Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7416260 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 Messrs. G. P. Shankar & Co. for the Respondent. \par \par Date of Hearing: }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8982597 6th }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4347681 May, 1977.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2585462\charrsid2585462 \par }}