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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid26228 Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 Criminal Appeal No. 81 of 1977
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 JEREMAIA VAKACEGU
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 v.
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 REGINAM
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
The appellant was charged with attempted rape contrary to section 145 of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty. After the complainant and another witness had given evidence for the prosecution the appellant chan
ged ate his plea to one of guilty. He was convicted and sentenced to 3 1/2 years' imprisonment.
\par 
\par This appeal is against sentence only.
\par 
\par At about 5.30 a.m. the complainant, a married woman, was walking alone towards a bus stop when she was waylaid by the ap
pellant and carried forcibly by him and another person to an isolated passageway near a parked empty bus. She was punched and received injuries to her face. Ignoring her loud screams the
\par appellant pulled her pants down while the other man acted as a lookou
t at the end of the passageway. The second prosecution witness Nabuta heard the Complainant, screams some distance away and arrived just in time to prevent the complete offence of rape being committed.
\par 
\par The appellant has a bad record involving crimes of violence, through not a sexual offence. In the learned Magistrate's notes appears the following sentence:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
"I am told by the prosecution when I enquired just now that Accused's companion received a 12 months sentence suspended for his par}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13263409 t in the offence. I don't feel I}{
\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935  should comment on that offence."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
\par The only ground put forward by learned Counsel for the appellant disparity is that of disparity between the two sentences.
\par 
\par It would appeal from the particulars of the offence in this case that the other parso
n was not charged jointly with this or any other offence arising out of this fact. The learned Magistrate was not told what specific offence he was convicted of. Under the circumstances it is difficult for this Court to form any view of the basis on which
 the other Magistrate sentenced the appellant's companion.
\par 
\par The learned Magistrate in this case said:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \fi-105\li825\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin825\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
"I do feel however the Accused was the person who originated and pursued the attacked and attempted rape of Mrs. Lesi. I}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13263409  feel that such being the case I}{
\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935  am justified in giving a sentence of considerable disparity."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 
\par He also took into account the, prevalence of sexual offence in this area.
\par 
\par In view of these considerations I am not prepared to accept that the sentence is wrong in}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid13263409  }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 principle or manifestly excessive.

\par 
\par The appeal is dismissed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\b\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 (Sgd.) G.Mishra
\par Acting Chief Justice
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11170935 {\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 Suva,}{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935 
\par }{\f0\fs24\lang2057\noproof0\langnp2057\insrsid11170935\charrsid11170935 2nd September 1977
\par }}