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\rsid9634690\rsid9665291\rsid9720498\rsid10233156\rsid10255280\rsid11094137\rsid11152157\rsid12594219\rsid12803848\rsid14909197\rsid15149553\rsid15494521\rsid16646981}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6846;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI} {\author maltungtung_l}{\operator maltungtung_l}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy16\hr9\min28}{\revtim\yr2008\mo12\dy16\hr9\min28}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords532}{\nofchars3038}{\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws3563}{\vern16393}{\*\password 00000000}} {\*\xmlnstbl {\xmlns1 urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags}}\paperw11678\paperh16598\margl0\margr2210\margt0\margb273\gutter0 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\grfdocevents0\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace0 \dgvspace0\dghorigin0\dgvorigin0\dghshow0\dgvshow0\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot15494521 \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\pararsid7677818 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 (WESTERN DIVISION) \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3952503 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 AT LAUTOKA}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818 \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid3952503 Appellate Jurisdiction \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4345391 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3952503\charrsid7677818 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 Criminal Appeal No.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 51 of 1979 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid3952503 B}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 ETWEEN}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3952503 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3952503 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3952503 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 {\*\xmlopen\xmlns1{\factoidname place}}{\*\xmlopen\xmlns1 {\factoidname City}}REGINA{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose} \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 Appellant}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 SAHA DEO \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 s/o Jodha \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3952503 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 Respondent}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3952503\charrsid3952503 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15494521 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818 \par Mr. D. Williams, Counsel for the Appellant \par Mr. C. Gordon, Counsel for the Respondent \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7677818 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818\charrsid7677818 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15494521 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 For convenience I shall deal with Criminal Appeals No.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 49 and 51 of 1979 together. They both concern }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11094137 the offence of careless driving. They}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11094137 concern the offence of careless driving, they were }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 both dealt with by the same magistrate on the same day. After initially pleading not guilty both accused changed their pleas and ple}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3952503 a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 ded guilty. In C.A. 49/79 the accused, a bus driver,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7677818 drove his bus straight }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 across a main road without }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233156 regard to the complaint}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233156 s car being driven alon}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11094137 g the main road,}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233156 and an accident was prevented}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 only because}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233156 the complainant brake}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 d}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10233156 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 violently. In C.A. 51/79 the accused turned straight across in front of the complainant (who was driving in the opposite direction on the same road) to turn into a side road, and an accident res ulted. Careless driving can range from an error of judgment to dangerous driving, and in both cases the accused are perhaps lucky not to have been}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4525622 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11094137 charged with dangerous driving.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4525622 \par \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 Both accused were first offenders, both had many years of driving behind them, and the magistrate in C.A.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 49/79 conditionally discharged the accused,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11152157 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 and in C.A.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 51/79 convicted him and discharged him under section 38 of the Penal Code. \par \par The Crown appeals against both orders of the magistrate on the grounds that the sentences are manifestly inadequate and wrong in principle.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5339206\charrsid15494521 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 In C.A.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 49/79 the magistrate seemed to give as one of his reasons for his sentence that there had been no accident, but this was due only to violent braking by the complainant and was really nothing in favour of the accused. In C.A.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 51/79 the magistrate reasoned that no o}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 ne was injured - again no thanks}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 to the accused - and}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 said that people considered }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 W}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 aterfront as the major road. There is no signs on the road to obviate this confusion}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 . Considering the sketch plan submitted and lack of other evidence before the court, there was no basis for the magistrate}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 s remarks. The fact that there were no signs at the junction, far from favouring the accused, makes it}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 clear that there was no basis for assuming that he had any right of way, and cannot in any way excuse his action in turning right across in front of the co}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 mplainant in a dangerous manner.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646981 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 The question of whether and in what circumstances it is appropriate to use Section 38 of the Penal Code, was dealt with at some length by Stuart J. in the case}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 of }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15149553 R v Paras Ram}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 C.A. No.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 21 of 1977 and in a number of other cases dealt with by him at the same time.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 He relied fairly heavily on Cross on the }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 English Sentencing System}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15149553 "}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 (1971). C}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 ross was referring mainly to abso}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 lu te discharge, but the reasoning can be applied equally well to any order under section 38}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 of the Penal Code. It is clear that the powers granted under section 38 should be exercised relatively rarely and certainly not in cases like the present cases where there was clear evidence of bad careless driving on the part of the accused. \par \par I therefore set aside the sentences in both cases, convict both accused of the offences charged and fine them each $25 or 2 weeks imprisonment in lieu. \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 The Crown also asks for costs against the accused, but there is nothing to indicate that these were asked for in the magistrate}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4345391 '}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 s court and in th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9634690 e absence of any such request, I}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 decline at this stage to order costs. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12594219 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12594219\charrsid12594219 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12594219 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12594219\charrsid12594219 Sgd. (G.O.L. DYKE) \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15494521 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12594219 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9665291\charrsid15494521 LAUTOKA \par 15 August, 1979 \par }}