{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f179\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f180\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f182\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f183\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f184\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f185\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f186\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f187\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;
\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;
\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive 
\ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tblind0\tblindtype3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \fi864\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult0
\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 Style 1;}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 Style 2;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid293709\rsid1452882\rsid1852973\rsid2362525\rsid4792950\rsid5263472\rsid6047831\rsid6636642\rsid7942000\rsid8156331\rsid8467680\rsid8808778
\rsid9055743\rsid9125957\rsid9377198\rsid10307615\rsid10382630\rsid10517070\rsid10580481\rsid10911415\rsid11825008\rsid11951068\rsid12533526\rsid12717098\rsid13960366\rsid14515835\rsid15417461\rsid15547126\rsid15860832\rsid15956116\rsid16086289
\rsid16264438}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6846;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI (WESTERN DIVISION)}{\author maltungtung_l}{\operator maltungtung_l}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy10\hr16\min11}{\revtim\yr2008\mo12\dy10\hr16\min15}{\version3}
{\edmins4}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords1103}{\nofchars6290}{\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws7379}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}}{\*\xmlnstbl {\xmlns1 urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags}}\paperw11678\paperh16598\margl0\margr897\margt0\margb278\gutter0 
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace0\dgvspace0\dghorigin0\dgvorigin0\dghshow0\dgvshow0\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot2362525 
\donotshowmarkup1\fet0{\*\wgrffmtfilter 013f}\sectd \linex0\headery360\footery360\endnhere\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3
\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}
{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain 
\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 
\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 (WESTERN DIVISION)
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14515835 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 AT LAUTOKA
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid14515835 Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16086289 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14515835 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid14515835 Criminal Appeal No. 28 of 1979
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 BETWEEN}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9055743\charrsid9055743 

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9055743 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9055743 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 SHYAM JEET }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid10580481 s/o Ram La}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 k}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid10580481 han}{
\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 A}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16086289 ppellant}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid9055743 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 REGINAM
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 R}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16086289 espondent}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid4792950 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2362525 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950 
\par Mr. S.R. Shankar, Counsel for the Appellant
\par Mr. Dyfed Willams, Counsel for the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 Respondent}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950 
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16086289 JUDG}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950\charrsid14515835 
MENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4792950 {\b\fs24\ul\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950 The }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6636642 appellant was convicted on 27th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16264438 
 March, 1979 of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16264438\charrsid11825008 877}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16264438  of the P.C. His wife was the }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 victim}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16264438 
 of the assault and the hearing before the magistrate revealed a most unhappy domestic background of quarrels and separation and attendance at the police stat}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 ion following disputes.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4792950 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 
\par The learned magistrate bound the a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 ppellant over in the sum }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 of $400 to come up for sentence when called upon during the ensuring }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070\charrsid11825008 18}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008  months.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 The}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6636642  alleged assault occurred on 15th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid10517070  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 August, 1978 and the wife}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 
s evidence is that the appellant came home complaining that h
er father was immoral and always looking for women. She replied that it was his affair and that she was married to the accused. The accused began quarrelling about unwashed dishes. At the time the wife, who is a school teacher was preparing food and tendi
ng to her 10 month old child. The quarrel built the appellant attacked her with his fists causing injuries to her lips, ear and face, punched her in the stomach and knocked her to the ground and kicked her in the back.
\par 
\par It appears that this is the appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 
s second marriage and he has a daughter of about 16 years who lives with them. According to the wife the daughter }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472 appeared on the scene and incited her father to continue the attack.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10517070 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472 
\par During cross-examination the wife was questioned about an incident on 2
1.8.77 when she allegedly assaulted her step-daughter. She denied any such incident but she agreed that about that time the appellant took her back to her parents. They were reconciled about 12.11.77 after several months}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472  separation.
\par 
\par A doctor called by the prosecution said that the wife}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472 s injuries could have been caused by a blunt instrument including a fist.
\par 
\par It is common ground that the quarrel attracted neighbours and one of them said he saw the appellant holding the wife}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472 
s arm and hitting at her with his fist.
\par 
\par The appellant }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid293709 completely denied striking his wife at any time. He said that the trouble was started by the wife and that her language }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 
was so persistent and foul that he told his daughter to bring the tape recorder, presumably to drown the noise. 
When the daughter appeared with the tape recorder he says the wife attacked her with a washing stick and the appellant intervened. He caught the blow on his arm and }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6636642 
it glanced on to his head; eventually he gained possession of the stick and }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 managed to push his wife outside. It is not surprising that the appellant}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 s daughter supported his testimony.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5263472 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 
\par They both stated that about 21.8.77 the wife had removed her sandal during one quarrel and had struck the daughter on the head with it. That assault was, they s
ay, particularly unpleasant because the daughter had suffered a head injury in a motor accident.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9125957 In view of the wife}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9125957 
s denial of that incident the defence wished to call independent evidence in support of the appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9125957 s allegation but the learned magistr
ate refused on the ground that it simply went to credibility and the defence would have to be content with the answers they had received in cross-examination.
\par 
\par In}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9125957 my }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 view it was not an easy question for the magistrate to rule upon.
\par 
\par It is well established that one might put questions to a witness in}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 order t}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10307615 
o test his credibility but one i}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 s bound by the answers given and cannot call evidence to disprove the witness}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 s reply. If that were not so it would be possible to seize}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415  upon a numbe
r of unconnected incidents which, if denied, could be supported by independent evidence. It would result in numerous trials all remote from the subject matter of the trial proper with the objects of showing, not that the witness is untruthful but that he 
is capable of telling lies.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1852973 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10307615\charrsid1452882 In the 4th }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 Edn. of Cross on Evidence at page 232 the learned author refers to the words of Lawrence J. in
}{\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882  Harris v. Tippett}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882  1811 2 Camp. 637 regarding answers to collateral questions:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10911415 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 
but when these questions are irrelevant to the issue on the record you cannot call other witness to contradict his answer.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10911415 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\highlight4\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid10382630 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 It is not always easy to determine what is relevant to the issue.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\highlight4\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid10382630 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 In }{\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 R v. Phillips}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1452882\charrsid1452882  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 (1936), 26 Cr. App. Rep., 17, the accused}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 
s daughters gave evidence for the prosecution on a charge of incest. They denied that their mother had taught them what to say. The }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 
father denied incest or indecency and sought to adduce evidence that the daughters had told third parties that their mother had schooled them. The Judge refused to hear th
e third parties and ruled that the cross-examination of the daughters simply went to credit and their denials were final. The Court of Appeal in allowing the father}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 s appeal, pointed out that the defence was that the accusations were fabricated and that ev
idence showing that the daughters had admitted this to other persons was not simply a collateral issue as to credibility but went to the basis of the father}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 s defence.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10911415\charrsid1452882 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\highlight4\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid10382630 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 In the instant case the appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 
s defence was that the injuries his wife received arose when he was obliged to act in defence of his daughter whom the wife attacked with a stick. Evidence that the wife assaulted the daughter a year ago is not proof that she had attacked the daughter on 
t}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1452882\charrsid1452882 his occasion }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 
but it tends to show that the wife was not incapable of violent conduct towards members of the family. Had it been an isolated incident in an otherwise fairly normal married life I think it would have been right to reject evidence of it. Howev
er, it was an incident in a domestic background of continuing unhappiness in which the wife alleges that the husband often assaulted her. It shows their attitude to one another. The wife is virtually a party to }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1452882\charrsid1452882 the proceedings and as}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1452882\charrsid1452882 such }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7942000\charrsid1452882 her attitude to the other party on the other occasions is, I think relevant. 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 
\par Had the appellant been seeking to establish that on a very recent occasion the wife had attacked some third party with a stick that would, in my view, have been inadmissible as being in no way connected with the appellant}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 s alleged assault on his wife.
\par 
\par With regard to the wife}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 s credibility the magistrate said towards the end of his judgment.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\highlight4\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid10382630 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9377198 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 
By birth this lady has no fingers or palm on her left hand. I have extreme doubt in my mind that she would be a person to pick up a stick to assault the step-daugh}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16086289 ter in the presence of the accu}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 sed who is a healthy and strong person.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9377198 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\highlight4\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid10382630 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 Had the magistrate admitted the evidence of the earlier attack upon the daughter. I wonder if he would have made the above 
remark. His approach would depend upon the weight he gave to such evidence. He would not necessarily have to believe it; it would be sufficient if on the evidence overall he was left in some doubt. The difficulties of deciding what may or may not be relev
ant is illustrated in an article on }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 similar facts}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11825008 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882  by E.C. Mc Hugh in the Australian Law Journal, Vol. 22 p. 502 and at 551-57.
\par 
\par For the reasons I have given, I am inclined to the view that the evidence should have been admitted. The appeal is allowed. The appeal is allowed. The conviction and order are quas}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8467680 h}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9377198\charrsid1452882 ed.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid1452882 
\par I do not think this is a case in which a re-trial should be ordered.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15417461 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid1452882 (SGD) (J.T. WILLIAMS),
\par JUDGE.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15860832 {\b\fs24\ul\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid1452882 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15547126 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid1452882 LAUTOKA,
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15547126\charrsid1452882 {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname date}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Year}{\xmlattrvalue 1979}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0{\xmlattrname Day}{\xmlattrvalue 13}}{\xmlattr\xmlattrns0
{\xmlattrname Month}{\xmlattrvalue 6}}}13th }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid1452882 June, 1979{\*\xmlclose}.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15417461\charrsid15547126 
\par }}