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{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6612;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\author blake_r}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr15\min4}{\revtim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr15\min4}{\version3}{\edmins2}{\nofpages1}{\nofwords233}{\nofchars1329}
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 Criminal Appeal No. 42 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366  1998
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 Between:
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 ASEBELA }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467 TAKATI}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 KO
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 REGINAM
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 JUDGMENT
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 The appellant was convicted of cattle stealing, namely a bull. He was imprisoned for 2 years and appeals against his conviction and sentence.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 There was ample evidence to show that the bull was sold by the appellant within hours of its theft. He also put himself forward as the owner according to P.W.2}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 
 The latter purchased it unseen but when he saw it next day he saw it was worth more than the $90.00 which he had agreed to pay. He reported the matter.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 P.W.2 was obviously honest. The Magistrate believed him. He was entitled to do so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 The appellant did not give evidence. He made an unsworn statement. The Magistrate did not give any weight to that unsworn statement.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 There was ample evidence to convict the accused if the Magistrate believed the prosecution witn}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732 esses. He clearly believed them.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 Appellant sa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732 ys in his appeal that he could }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11621467\charrsid3238366 
have called evidence and did not have a fair trial.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 
\par The record sho}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732 ws section 201 of the Criminal P}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 
rocedure Code was complied with. In fact the courses open to appellant must have been pointed out to him because he made an unsworn statement.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 Regarding sentence the term of 2 years is severe, However, the offence is prevalent. It strikes at a farmer's ability to till his land and local people are fully aware of this. I}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 cannot regard the sentence as manifestly excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4392732\charrsid3238366 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 The appeal against conviction and sentence are discussed.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4392732 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid4392732 J.T. Williams
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3238366 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3238366\charrsid3238366 
\par Suva,
\par 28th July, 1978.
\par }}