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\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid16011692 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 Labasa Criminal Appeal No. 12 of 1979 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 MOHAMMED HANIF \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid11427674 s/o Gowar Ali \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 Appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid9770197 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 REGINAM \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 Respondent}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726 \par Mr. A. Ali for the Appellant \par Mr. I}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16735862 .}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726 Khan for the Respondent \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726\charrsid5524726 JUDGMENT}{ \b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid5524726 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 \par The appellant was convi}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726 cted by the Magistrates Court, L}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 abasa of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 269 of the Penal Code and sen}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726 tenced to nine months' imprison}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 ment. He appeals}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5524726 against his conviction and sentence on the following grounds:}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 "(a) }{\fs24\ul\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965\charrsid8988965 THAT}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 the learned trial Magistrate erred in holding that your Petitioner was the driver of the vehicle in question when the evidence as a whole tended to establish that there was grave dou bts as to this alleged fact. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 (b) }{\fs24\ul\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965\charrsid8988965 THAT}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 the sentence imposed by the learned trial Magistrate is}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 excessive and unreasonable}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8988965 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 having regard to the circumstances surrounding the case." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 \par He was}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15925400 also convicted of driving with}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 out a driving licence and driving in contravention of third party r}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15925400 isk. There is no appeal in rela}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 tion to those charges either against conviction or against sentence.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15925400\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 Some of the facts are not in dispute. The incident occurred early in the morning of}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4214280 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9770197 15th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 November 1977 on Nabouwalu Road near Vunicagi. The van in question belonged, not to the appellant, but to one Tahir Ali. The van left the road and overturned. The deceased, a passenger in the van, died as a result. The appellant, the deceased and Tahir A l}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15925400 i were friends living in the same neigh}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 bourhood. The appellant had no driving licence. The main issue at the trial was}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9519212 the identity of the driver an}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 d the cause of the accident. \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9519212 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The incident had occurred in daylight and the prosecution relied mainly on eye witnesses. According to them, the van in question had come}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11478460 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 to the deceased's house between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. driven by the appellant. The deceased was with him. The deceased got off the van and gave some prawns to his sister Ram Rati. This was also seen by the deceased's wife Nirma}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9770197 la Wati and his mother Ram Kum}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid138193 ari.} {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6885984\charrsid6885984 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The van then drove off, still driven by the appellant. The accid}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid138193 ent in question occurred only mo}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 ments}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid138193 later just a short distance aw} {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 ay before it could reach the appellant's house. A school boy, Narendra, also a prosecution witness, saw the van coming towards him erratically and jumped out of the way. The van left the road and overturned. The appellant was behind the driving wheel.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid138193\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 As soon as the news of the accident reached the deceased's house, his wife and others}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 rushed towards the scene. Tahir Ali, the owner of the van whose house is further away from the scene of the accident than that of the deceased}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10289305 ,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 overtook them fro}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10289305 m behind and went running past }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 them towards the overturned van. At the scene he tried to persuade the deceased's wife and other relatives to tell the police that it was he, Tahir Ali, and not the appellant, who had been driving the van. This, }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid859261 he told them, would facilitate }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 their insurance claim.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10289305\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The appellant's case was that he did not know how to drive and had not dr iven the van. He had no driving licence. At the time of the accident, he was asleep in his bed. His wife, Saliman Bi, supported his evidence.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5835887\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 Tahir Ali, who also gave evidence, said that it was he who had been driving the van at the relevant time and that the accident had occurred owing to a blown tyre. The whole issue, therefore, was one of credibility.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7623960\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The learned Magistrate had no hesitation in accepting the prosecution e}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6624626 vidence and was entire}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 ly unable to place any reliance on the evidence of}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7042282 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 the appel lant, Tahir Ali and his other witnesses as to the driver's identity. He was quite entitled to do that, and this Court should not disturb that finding of fact. I do not accept the submission made by learned counsel for the appellant that the evidence of th e bo}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6624626 y Narendra was the only prosecu}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 tion evidence of the driver's identity and that his evi}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9770197 dence, standing alone, was unre}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 liable. In my v}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6624626 iew, there was a great deal of other evidence which, if accepted, strongly supported Narendra's evidence and the learned Magistrate accepted that evidence.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The other issue related to the alleged blown}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2891467 tyre immediately prior to the }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 accident. This was asserted by Tahir Ali}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2891467 whose evidence, as I have already st}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 at}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2891467 ed, }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 the learned Magistrate rejected entirely. He did not believe that Tahir Ali was in the van at the time of the accident. What is more, the prosecution called two witnesses Vishnu Prasad and Sunil Dutt who had arrived at the}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2891467 scene after the accident. They}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 both sta}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2891467 ted that they had seen Tahir Al}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 i and one Raja Hussein de liberately puncture the front off-side tyre with a screwdriver and a piece of iron. This is the tyre that Cpl. Ponsami had later found flat and had removed for examination.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6885984\charrsid6885984 }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The vehicle examiner Dev Nadan Pillay who examined the tyre said:}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6947242\charrsid6885984 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6947242 I saw } {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid6947242 1}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6947242 /}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\sub\langnp2057\insrsid6947242 4}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 " long hole in the tyre; it was a sharp cut (witness shown a tyre Ex. 3). This is the tyre. There is a cut on the tyre and the tube. It appears a sharp object pierced through the tyre."}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6947242\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The learned Magistrate accepted the evidence of Vishnu Prasad and Sun il Dutt and found that the accident had not resulted from a blown tyre. There was ample evidence on which he could have found, as he did, that the damaged tyre was intact at the time of the accident.}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524 ppeal against conviction, there}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 fore, fails. }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 As to senten}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524 ce, learned counsel for the appe}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 llant correctly points that this was not the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16011692 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 first trial of the appellant on this charge. He had earlier been convicted of it before another Magistrate but his appeal to this Court against conviction had been allowed and a retrial ordered. This appeal is from the }{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524 judgment of the learned Magistrate who pre}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 sided over the retrial. Learned counsel draws the Court's attention to Archbold (39th Edn. para. 893) where it is stated that, on a retrial, the sentence imposed ought not to be greater than that passed on the original conviction which in this case was a fine of $150. He concedes that that statemen}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524 t is based on a statutory provi}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 sion not applicable in Fiji but submits that the principle is sound and should be followed.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301524\charrsid6885984 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 The appellant drove without a driving licence. For this he was convicted on a separate count under the Traffic Ordinance and received separate puni}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16666786 shment. There is nothing in the re}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 cord to suggest that the learned Magistrate took that into account in asses sing the nature of the dangerous driving. On this issue he said: \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16666786 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 "The accident took place on a long stretch of road. Accused drove the vehicle in a zig zag manner and the vehicle tumbled. The deceased was thrown out of the vehicle and killed due to the injuries he received. The e}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 vidence disclosed reckless driv}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 ing. One witness had to jump when}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 he saw the vehicle coming." \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 \par It is clear from the evidence that this is a straight stretch of a country road, and there is no suggestion of any speed limit. The time was about 6.30 in the morning. It seems that the only pedestrian on this s}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 tretch of the road was Narendra, the schoolboy. His evidence as to speed was not very precise. The only definite inference that can reasonably be drawn from his evidence is that the appellant had, by the time he reached Narendra, completely lost control of the vehicle which then went }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid6885984 off the road and overturned. The Learned Magistrate was no doubt correct in holding that the driving was dangerous. He was, however, not justified in holding that his driving showed deliberately reckless disregard}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 for other users of the road of wh}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid6885984 om, as I have said, there were hardly any at that time. The deceased was a passenger in the van and had been a friend of his. They had gone out catching prawns th e night before and were, presumably, driving around together distributing the catch when the van went out of}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 control. Normally, in a case li}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid6885984 ke this a fine and an order of disqualification would meet the ends of justice. Ther}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268 e was a great deal in the subse}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid6885984 quent conduct of the appellant and other }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid5928339 defence}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14756268\charrsid6885984 witnesses which showed an attempt to cover up the offence but such conduct should not be taken into account in assessing the nature of the driving which led to the death of the deceased. \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 \par The appeal against sentence is allowed and the prison term of nine months is set aside. The appellant has already served one-third of the effective term he would have had to serve and it will not, ther}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339 efore, be just }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 to substitute a fine in place of the pri son term. The ends of justice will adequately be served if, in place of the prison term imposed by the learned Magistrate,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 a term of imprisonment is substituted which will allow the appellant's immediate release. \par \par I, therefore, substitute such a term so th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339 at the appellant is immediately }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 released from prison. The order of dis}{ \fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339 qualification remains unaltered.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339\charrsid6885984 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4266992 (Sgd.) G. Mishra \par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339\charrsid5928339 JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16011692 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5928339 \par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9189216\charrsid6885984 Suva, \par 3rd August 1979 \par }}