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Raza for the Respondent \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10301775 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid10301775 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid10301775 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15409291 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 Appellant was convicted by the Magistrate's Court Suva on two counts of larceny by serv}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 ant contrary to sect section }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 306(a)(i)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 of the Penal Code and was sentenced to}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 18 months' }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 i}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 mprisonment on each count the sentenc}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 es to be served consecutively.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 Appellant appeals agains}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 t his conviction and sentence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 He }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 had }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 been charged with twenty-two counts altogether, all involving acts of dish}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 onesty. He was acquitted on all}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 but two counts, the subject of this appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 Appellant is unrepresented. During the trial he dispensed with the services of counsel and took over the conduct of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 his own defence. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 He has a good command of English and, according to the record of the trial, cross-examined prosecution witnesses at considerable length}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 At the end o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 f}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 the prosec}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 ution case he elected to give}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13919128\charrsid15409291 evidence and info rmed the Court that he had no witnesses to call. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par His grounds, stated in a layman's language, seek among other things leave to adduce evidence. There is nothing in the grounds or what the appellant has said to warrant the granting of such leave and the appellant was so advised at the hearing of the appeal. (}{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 R. v. Parks}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 46 Cr.App.R. 29). I do not accept his submission that he did not appreciate the significance of choices given to him by the learned Magistrate at the end of the prosecution case. I am convinced from the perusal of the record that appellant's decision to give no evidence and to call no witnesses was perfectly deliberate leaving no room for misunderstanding.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par In relation to Count 2, which appellant dealt with first, he s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16133543 ays that he himself has benefit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 ed nothing from the transaction. He admits taking the money, but with the knowledge of the Bank. He gave $1,500 to one Fijian}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 teacher and $400 to another.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 He mentions a "Fijian Agre ement" which had been arrived at. He seeks an order from this Court requiring the two teachers to return the money to the Bank and that he himself be given a suspended sentence in place of the one he is serving now.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par Appellant's submission amounts, in fact, to an attempt to give evidence which, at this stage, this Court cannot accept. The order he seeks cannot, in any case,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 be properly made by this Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par Learned counsel for the respondent is aware of no new facts that have come to light since the trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 He refers to the evidence of Anare Osborne (P.W.5), the Treasurer of the Fijian Teachers' Association.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 When questioned by him, appellant had refused to tell him how he had obtained the money but had himself undertaken to pay it pack. This, of course, was before the matter was officially reported to the Bank.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par Appellant made a great many allegations against}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 the Bank}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 ,}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 his employer. I can find no evidence to suggest}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 that he took the money in question with the knowledge and approval of his superior officer}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 s. In fact Austin (P.W.9), the S}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 ub-Manager of Barclays Bank, stated that several months before this offence occurred, appellant had bee n demoted to a junior position. He had been warned twice in writing not to act contrary to instructions before being dismissed on 27th May 1977. These facts were not seriously challenged by appellant at the trial.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 On the evidence before him the learned Magistrate found that appellant had used his position to obtain }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 $}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 1,900 from the Bank on the strength of a cheque he knew to be worthless. Later he removed the cheque as well. The Bank has been permanently deprived of that amount. I can see nothing wrong with that finding. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 With regard to Count 1 the learned Magistrate found that the appellant accepted $1,000 in cash on behalf of the Bank from an old Fijian Taitusi to be placed to his credit. He also found that this money was never placed to his credit. It was, instead, used to open a cheque account in the name of Vula Vakacegu, appellant's father, an account which the appellant controlled and operated.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 At the hearing of the appeal appellant submitted that Taitusi knew that his money was being deposited into Vula Vakacegu's account, and had agreed to it.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 This again amounts to an attempt to give evidence before this Court. At the trial both Taitusi and Vula Vakacegu testified}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 that they had not known each other at all.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 This remained uncontradicted. I can see no reason why the learned Magistrate's findings should be disturbed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775\charrsid15409291 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 Appellant repeatedly stated that whatever he did was to help the Fijian people and that his superiors at the Bank approved of it, as he was bringing to the Bank a great deal of Fijian business. Appellant gave no evidence at the trial and thi}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 s was never put to Austin, the S}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 ub}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 -}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 Manager of the Bank. As for helping the Fijian people, it is needless to say that both the complainants and almost}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 all the main prosecution witnesses relating to these counts were themselves Fijians and it is on their evidence that appellant was convicted. \par \par I can see no merit in the appellant's submissions and his appeal against conviction is dismissed. \par \par With regard to the sentence, the function of this Court is to examine the sentences imposed by the trial Court to see if they are manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301775 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 In considering an appropriate sentence the learned Magistrate referred to the position of trust}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16133543 appellant had occupied at the B}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 ank and also to the manner in which he had abused the authority which he, by virtue of that position, exercised over his junior colleagues. In view of that I can find nothing wrong with the imp osition of a custodial sentence. The two offences were quite distinct both as to time and as to the nature of fraud used and the order of consecutive sentences cannot, therefore, be regarded as irregular in any way. The extent of the sentences is anything but manifestly excessive. \par \par The appeal against sentence is, therefore, also dismissed. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10301775 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid10301775 (G. Mishra) \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15409291 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15409291\charrsid15409291 \par Suva, \par 6th October 1978 \par }}