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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid6127181 IN }{\b\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid6127181 
THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\fs24\insrsid15826774 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid9650100 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{\b\fs24\insrsid15826774\charrsid9650100 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\fs24\insrsid15826774 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\fs24\insrsid15826774 Labasa Criminal Appeal No. 14 of 1978
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\fs24\insrsid15826774 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\fs24\insrsid6127181 BETWEEN}{\fs24\insrsid5799357 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\b\fs24\insrsid2827123\charrsid9650100 THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\fs24\insrsid9650100 AND}{\fs24\insrsid2827123\charrsid2827123 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\b\fs24\insrsid2827123\charrsid9650100 PENI RAITEVUI
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9650100 {\b\fs24\insrsid2827123\charrsid9650100 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7359653 {\fs24\insrsid2827123\charrsid14428268 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 On the 1st May 1978 at Savusavu Magistrates }{\fs24\insrsid6127181 C}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 ourt the }{\fs24\insrsid3015037 respondent was charged under co}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
unt 1 with the attempted defilement of a }{\fs24\insrsid2827123 girl under the age of thirteen }{\fs24\insrsid3015037 c}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
ontrary to section 149(2) of the Penal Code and under count 2 with indecently assaulting the girl contrary to s}{\fs24\insrsid7359653 ection 148}{\fs24\insrsid3015037 (1) of the Penal Code.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid3015037 
\par The second count was quite properly stated to be in the alternative to the first count, as the respondent was not being charged with two separate acts constituting two separate offences, but with one act which
 constituted either attempted defilement or indecent assault.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid3015037 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 The trial Magistra}{\fs24\insrsid2827123 te recorded that the respondent }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 pleaded guilty to both offences, a situation which should }{\fs24\insrsid3488956 not }{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 have arisen as once the respondent pleaded guilty to}{\fs24\insrsid2827123  }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 the first count the second count, being in the alternative, }{\fs24\insrsid3488956 s}{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 hould not have been put to hi}{\fs24\insrsid7359653 m. It is only if an accused p}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
leads not guilty to the first count that an alternative count is put to him. If he then pleads guilty to the alternative count the prosecution should be asked whether }{\fs24\insrsid7013979 they }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
accept that plea. If so, the accused should be convicted}{\fs24\insrsid7013979  on }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 the second count, and}{\fs24\insrsid7013979  the first count to which he has pl}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
eaded not guilty should be withdrawn and the accused}{\fs24\insrsid7013979  dis}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 charged in respect th}{\fs24\insrsid7013979 ereof. If the prosecution are n}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 ot }{
\fs24\insrsid7013979 p}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 repared to accept a plea to the alternative count then, }{\fs24\insrsid7013979 de}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 spite the accused's plea of guilty thereto, the Magistrate}{
\fs24\insrsid7013979  }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 should enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf, proceed to }{\fs24\insrsid7013979 a hearing and then decide on the evidence which of the offences, if eith
er, has been proved beyond reasonable doubt and convict him of that offence accordingly, making no finding in respect of the alternative offences.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid7013979 
\par Magistrates are referred to the Chief Magistrate's Circular Memorandum No. 7 of 1976 which correctly sets out the position.
\par 
\par After hearing the facts of this case, the trial Magistrate purported to convict the respondent on the first count }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 a}{\fs24\insrsid542614 nd sentenced him to five months' imprisonment}{\fs24\insrsid7359653 . S}{
\fs24\insrsid542614 t}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 ating that the second count would be left on the record. }{\fs24\insrsid542614 However I am satisfied that,}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268  and the Crown concedes that the }{
\fs24\insrsid542614 circums}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 tances of the offence do not constitute attempted defilement as charged under count 1, but indecent assault }{\fs24\insrsid542614 as charged under count 2.}{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
\par 
\par On the day in question the respondent was in the house where the girl resided with her parents, while the parents were out working, and on finding himself alone with }{\fs24\insrsid542614 the}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268  girl he removed her}{
\fs24\insrsid542614  }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 panties, asked her to lie down, and }{\fs24\insrsid542614 ru}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 bbed his penis against her legs. The girl was aged only three years four months at the }{
\fs24\insrsid542614 time.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
\par 
\par The Crown has appealed against the sentence of}{\fs24\insrsid542614  five months'}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268  imprisonment as being manifestly inadequate, and }{\fs24\insrsid7359653 I }{\fs24\insrsid542614 am }{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 in no doubt that behaviour of this sort warrants a }{\fs24\insrsid542614 heavier penalty.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid542614\charrsid14428268 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 The conviction of the respondent is quashed and }{\fs24\insrsid9860864 the }{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 sentence set aside. In substitution }{\fs24\insrsid6127181 therefor}{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268  the }{\fs24\insrsid542614 r}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 espondent is convicted of indecent assault contrary to section 148(1) of the Penal Code and is sentenced to twelve }{\fs24\insrsid542614 m}{
\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 onths' imprisonment wi}{\fs24\insrsid6127181 th effect from the lst May 1978.}{\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid14428268 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7359653 {\b\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid7359653 (Sgd.) Clifford H. Gr}{\b\fs24\insrsid542614\charrsid7359653 ant}{\b\fs24\insrsid5799357\charrsid7359653 
\par Chief Justice
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7359653 {\fs24\insrsid11747675 
\par Suva}{\fs24\insrsid6127181 ,}{\fs24\insrsid11747675 
\par 31st July 1978}{\fs24\insrsid6127181 .}{\fs24\insrsid11747675\charrsid14428268 
\par }}