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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14374338 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI
\par }{\b\caps\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 Criminal Jurisdiction
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14374338 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 Criminal Case No, 13 of 1978
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14374338 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 VILIAME KINI BALEIKASAVU
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14374338 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 JUDGMENT
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 The accused, Viliame Kini Baleikasavu, is charged on seven counts with larceny as a servant contrary to section 306(b) (i) of the Penal Code.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 The alleged thefts relate to 10}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338  cartons of tinned fish and 23 c}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 artons of tinned corned beef to the total value of $555.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 All three assessors are unanimous in their opinions that the accused is not guilty on each of the seven counts as charged.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3932187 I have directed myself in}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338  accordance w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 
ith my summing up and I have once again considered the whole of the evidence presented in Court in the light of the unanimous opinions of the assessors.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 The prosecution case must of course stand or fall on the degree of trustworthiness of the main witnesses who have given testimony in this case.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 The credibility of such witnesses is essentially a matter for the assessors.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 
By their opinions in this case the assessors have clearly indicated that they have grave doubts about the prosecution case. They obviously feel that the prosecution have not discharged the onus of proof whic
h rests on them and the standard required by law, namely, proof beyond all reasonable doubt.
\par 
\par In these circumstances I do not think I would be justified on the evidence in this case in taking a contrary view to the assessors.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 
\par I am not satisfied therefore that each count in the Information has been proved with the degree of certainty required by law. Accordingly I find the accused not guilty on each }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338  the seven counts as charged and he is therefore acquitted.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14374338 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 T.U. Tuivaga
\par JUDGE
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14374338\charrsid14374338 Suva,
\par 24th August, 1978
\par }}