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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid7095981 
IN THE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4803243\charrsid7095981  SUPRE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid7095981 ME COURT OF FIJI
\par (WESTERN DIVISION)
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7281865 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid8804962 AT LAUTOKA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16126416\charrsid8804962 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16126416 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7281865\charrsid8804962 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid8804962 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7281865 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7281865 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid6650854 Criminal Appeal No. 30 of 1978
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4803243 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 BETWEEN
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4803243 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid7095981 VIJENDRA KUMAR SHARMA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 s/o S.R. Sharma
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10685898 Appellant
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4803243 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 AND
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7095981 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981\charrsid7095981 REGINAM}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4803243\charrsid7095981 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 Respondent
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4803243 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7095981 
\par Mr. K.N. Govind, Counsel for the Appellant
\par Mr. D. Williams, Counsel for the Respondent
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14288197 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14288197 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14288197\charrsid14288197 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14288197 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10685898 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10685898 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205\charrsid13003205 The }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 appellant was convicted for driving without due care and attention and was fined $20.00.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10685898 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 
\par The evidence revealed that the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 s motor vehicle was involved.
\par 
\par On 8/8/77 about 2 a.m., RAM UDIT, a night watchman in Ba, heard a thud or crash which brought him out into the King}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 
s Road where he saw the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 s car had mounted the pavement and struck a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8282147 lamppost}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6423336 . Other prosecution evidence showed that the car was facing the direction of Tavua from Lautoka. Ram Udit saw the appellant and another person standing near the car.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13003205 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6423336 
\par When the police arrived on the scene the accused had departed and he was interviewed about 5 weeks later. He informed the police that h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10253221 e had driven from Lautoka and}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6423336  explained that 5 or 6 dogs had run across his path causing him to swerve and he had travelled across to the wrong side of the road and hit the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8282147 
lamppost}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid868852 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6423336 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid868852 
\par The appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid868852 s explanation to the police was exc
ulpatory in nature but it was also in the nature of an admission and since it was tendered in evidence by}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5197197 
 the prosecution it would need to be considered as a whole. At the close of the prosecution case the appellant offered no evidence but merely made an unsworn statement in which he confirmed what he had said to the police.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid868852 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5197197 
\par In }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10764733 a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5197197 
short judgment the learned magistrate observed that a reasonably prudent driver would not have swerved so violently in order to avoid dogs and he could have used his brakes and co
ncluded that the appellant was going too quickly or was not keeping a proper lookout.
\par 
\par The defence state, and I }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9389310 accept, that the learned magistrate remarked that the doctrine of res}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10764733  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9389310 ipsa loquitur has application in criminal cases.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5197197 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9389310 
\par There are 2 grounds of appeal.
\par 
\par The first is that the prosecution adduced no evidence of negligence and the second is that the magistrate erred in holding that a finding of res loquitur sufficient to support a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10764733 
civil action for negligence would be sufficient to support a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9389310 finding of careless driving}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9389310 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 
\par Clearly the magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 s finding of a case to answer turned on the fact that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7016879 at }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 2 a.m. on a broad main street devoid of traffic the accused drove his car over to the wrong side of the road, mou}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5330088 nted the causeway and hit a }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8282147 lamppost}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 . He was not impressed by the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 s explanation to the police.
\par 
\par Mr. Govind, for the appellant, submitted that by relying upon the doctrine of res loquitur the magistrate had placed a burden upon the appellant of disproving careless driving on his part. He }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12284708 
also submitted that the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12284708 s explanation about dogs running across his path had been disregarded.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid789426 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12284708 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346692 He also referred to the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346692 
s unsworn statement in court adopting the explanation to the police and intimated that it thereby became evide
nce. I pointed out to Mr. Govind that an unsworn statement was not evidence and that to adopt by way of unsworn statement an explanation made to the police cannot g}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11415129 ive that explanation the force o}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346692 f sworn testimony. It has not the weight of an oath behind i
t and has not been tested by cross-examination. That does not mean to say that because it is an exculpatory statement it is to be entirely ignored. The prosecution put it in evidence and therefore it would carry weight as the magistrate felt it was worth 
in all the circumstances}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9200708 , as was lu}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346692 cidly pointed out by Harry }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9200708 J. in }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9200708\charrsid9200708 Donaldson v. Police}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9200708 , 1963 N.Z.L.R. 750 to which Mr. Govind referred.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12284708 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9200708 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 Turning now to the so called doctrine of res}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 
ipsa loquitur I see no reason why it should not be applied in trials of dangerous and careless driving but of course its application is bound to be restricted. It depends upon what one means by the expression }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13072133 s loquitur}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13072133 . Charlesworth, O}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 n Negligence, 6th Edn.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 p.168 (264) quotes M}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11166944 cgaw L.J. as saying:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16526286 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11166944 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11166944 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11166944 I 
think that it is no more than an exotic although convenient, phrase to describe what is in essence no more than a comm}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284 on}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11166944 sense approach}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12536860 , not limited by technical rules, to the assessment of the effect of evidence in certain circumstances.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11166944 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12536860 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12536860 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9600882 The learned author also states that Lord Denning M.R}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990 . in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284 Truner }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990\charrsid6907990 v.}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284  }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990\charrsid6907990 Mansfiled Corp}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990 . The Times, May 15 1975 observed that res loquitur was only a rule as to the weight of evidence from which negligence could be inferred and could not accurately be described as a doctrine.}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12536860\charrsid6907990 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990 
\par The maxim comes into operation when some occur}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284 re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990 nce which is unexplained would not ordinarily have happened without}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346834  negligence on someone}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346834 
s part and the circumstances point to a particular individual. In Civil Actions it is sufficient to put the plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346834 
s case on to a strong enough basis to initiate proceedings and gives the defendant something to explain. It is not, as Mr. Govind}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346834 
s argument suggests, a presumption of negligence which someone has to rebut; there is not a presumption of negligence casting an onus on the appellant to prove an absence of negligence. There is no suggestion of this in the magistrate}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4346834 s judgement. The facts}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 
, i.e. the occurrence, speak for themselves and in the absence of any evidence from the appellant they still have to be considered by the Court. As was pointed out by Henry J. (supra) at p.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15866284  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 753 where a motor lorry travelling at 15 m.p.h. mounted the nearside pavement and struck a telegraph pole before regaining the roadway those factors alone would be sufficient 
to establish the charge of careless driving, and he said,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6907990 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1196445 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 
They are sufficient in the ordinary course of events to call for an explanation.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1196445 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445\charrsid14513680 The learned judge then went on to consider the explanation given to the police by the accused who did not give evidence 
upon oath. For reasons which he set out the judge found that the explanation given to the police that a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13069077\charrsid14513680 cat had run across the path of l
orry causing the driver to swerve was acceptable. The learned magistrate had not considered the explanation at all on the ground that it was exculpatory. The learned judge held that he should not have excluded it.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1196445\charrsid14513680 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12090235 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12090235\charrsid14513680 
\par In }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12090235\charrsid14513680 Doreen Rose Gosney v. R }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12090235\charrsid14513680 (1971) 55 Cr. 
App. R. the Court of Appeal at p. 508 stated what in that court's view constituted dangerous or careless driving. They said,
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid12090235 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12090235\charrsid14513680 
"It is not an absolute offence. In order to justify a conviction there must be, not only a situation which viewed objectively, was dangerous, but there must also have been some fault on the part of the driver, causing that situation \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85
\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. The fault need not be the sole cause of the dangerous situation. It is enough if it is, looked at sensibly, a cause. Such a fault 
will often be sufficiently proved as an inference from the very facts of the situation."}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1799615\charrsid14513680 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12090235 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2195248\charrsid14513680 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2195248 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2195248\charrsid14513680 
Pausing at that stage, it is perfectly clear that the Court of Appeal is saying that the situation speaks for itself and can point towards careless or dangerous driving. In Gosney}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854\charrsid14513680 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2195248\charrsid14513680 s case the driver was proceeding }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6033719\charrsid14513680 
at a fairly fast speed, at night, down the wrong side of a dual cause-way. The driver showed that she had joined the road from a country lane and there was nothing to show that this was a dual causeway or that she should not turn right }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2299151\charrsid14513680 when she entered it. The Court }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13326517\charrsid14513680 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6033719\charrsid14513680 
f Appeal further stated,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2195248 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6033719 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6033719 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4216728 
But if the driver seeks to avoid that inference by proving some special fact, relevant to the question of fault in this sense he may not be precluded from seeking to do so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6033719 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2301242 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242 
\par They then went on to indicate by reference to }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242\charrsid8282147 Spurge}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854\charrsid8282147 '}{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242\charrsid8282147 s Case}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242  (1961) 45 CR.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8918658  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242 
APP.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8918658  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242 R. 191, that the burden of proof still remained on the prosecution. In the latter case the Court stated that although}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid68272  the burden rested on the prosecution this did not mean that the prosecution had to anticipate and meet every possible defence which the defe
nce may put forward, and that their failure so to do would entitle an accused with some special defence e.g. mechanical defect, to say that there was no case to answer because the prosecution had not given evidence of the absence of any mechanical defect.
 The accused, if he relied upon such a special defence should according to Spurge}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid68272 
s case put it forward in evidence and then it would be considered with the rest of the evidence. It then depends upon the jury as to whether or not the special defence raises any doubt in their minds.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2301242 

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1782136 
\par It is to my mind clear that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14625166 when }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1782136 the learned }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13381145 magistrate used the expression }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13381145 res loquitur}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13381145 
 he was merely echoing what superior tribunals in New Zealand and England had already said, namely the situation often speaks for itself. H
is use of those words was not a way of imposing any peculiar onus or liability upon the accused to prove his innocence. They merely meant that there was a situation which in itself and without any further explanation shows that someone was careless enough
 to drive from the nearside to the offside of the road and hit a lamppost on the offside cause-way.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1782136 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8208605 
\par The appellant in the instant case told the police that some dogs had run across his path causing him to swe}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9727699 
rve. His explanation was part of the evidence presented by the prosecution. The magistrate did not exclude it but, on the contrary, took it into consideration when he decided that there was a case for the accused to answer. Therefore when the accused in h
is unsworn statement simply said he relied upon what he had already said to the police he was adding nothing to the general picture which was before the learned magistrate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8208605 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6315678 
\par In his judgment he found the appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6315678 
s explanation unacceptable. It was not supported by evidence tested by cross-examination. One cannot say that he dismissed it out of hand. He did not. He refused to it. He gave to it the weight which he thought it deserved and in so doing he adhered stric
tly to the approach }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 recommended by Henry J. in Donaldson}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 s case.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6315678 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 
\par Mr. Govind for the appellant submits that the instant case is on all fours with Donaldson}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 s case but that is not so. In Donaldson}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 s case the learned magistrate refused to consider the explana
tion tendered by the driver to the police because it was not supported by sworn evidence during the trial from the driver}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110 . In the instant case the learned magistrate did not dismiss the appellant}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110 s explanation to the police; he gave it the weight he considered it was worthy of. After considering the appellant}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110 s explanation he found him guilty and gave his reasons.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16348912 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110 
\par The magistrate in question was by no means inexperienced. I cannot say in the circumstances of the case }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1396122 and in the light of the accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110 s unsworn explanation that the magistrate came to a conclusion which was not consistent with the evidence before him.
\par 
\par The appeal is dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3540110\charrsid1799615 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4803243 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4803243 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3091539 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6650854 (Sgd.) J.T. Williams}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539\charrsid3091539 
\par JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3091539 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539\charrsid3091539 LAUTOKA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539 ,
\par 26}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1396122 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539  May, 1978.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539\charrsid14175800 Messrs. Govind}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9719891  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539\charrsid14175800 & Co., Counsel for the Appellant}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3091539 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14175800 Director of Public Prosecutions for the Respondent.
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6650854 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14175800 Date of Hearing: 28th April, 1978}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8282147 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14175800\charrsid3091539 
\par }}