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{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI (WESTERN DIVISION)}{\author Tari_k}{\operator maltungtung_l}{\creatim\yr2008\mo12\dy17\hr16\min43}{\revtim\yr2009\mo2\dy3\hr16\min49}{\version6}{\edmins260}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords1544}{\nofchars7123}{\*\company USP}
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {
\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646478 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16646478 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 (WESTERN DIVISION)
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4850370 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 AT LAUTOKA}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid4850370 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4850370 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{
\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid4850370 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4850370 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4850370\charrsid13509892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 Criminal Appeal No.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4850370  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 69 of 1979
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15943525 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid4850370 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646478 BETWEEN}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7633266\charrsid13503655 

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7633266 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7633266\charrsid4850370 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4850370 ASHOK KUMAR SINGH}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3027129  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid14044635 s/o Mangal Singh
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 (Appellant)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15943525 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7633266 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16646478 AND}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13503655 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7633266 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7633266\charrsid13509892 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13509892 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 REGINA
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid13509892 (Respondent)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13448560 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892 
\par Mr. M. Tappoo for Sahu Khan,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892 Counsel for the Appellant
\par Mr. D. Williams, Counsel for the Respondent
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15943525 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892\charrsid7633266 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13448560 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13509892 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 The appellant was charged with the offence}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
of receiving contrary to}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525  section 347(1)(a) of the Penal C}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ode in that on 7.2.79 he receive}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525 d two bags of onions valued at $16.8}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 0 knowing the same to have been stolen.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525\charrsid14569055 H}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid14569055 
e pleaded not guilty but after hearing evidence including the evidence of the appellant the magistrate convicted him of the offence charged}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525\charrsid14569055  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid14569055 and sentence}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525\charrsid14569055 d him to 9 months imprisonment.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 

\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15943525 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 He now appeals against his conviction and sentence and }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 i}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 n arg}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 uing his case very ably and at s}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
ome length his counsel cited no less than 33 cases and several text books.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055  M}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
any of the cases were of very little assistance s
ince they were primarily concerned with the contents of summing up to a jury, where of course extra special care must be taken to ensure that a jury knows exactly what matter it must consider, and is not left in }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 any doubt as to the elements of}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  the offence, the onus of proof and the way evidence should be evaluated.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 I hope I will not be guilty of oversimplifying if I set out more briefly just what I think the appeal entails.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 On the evidence before the court, includ}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 ing the evidence of the thief w}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ho admitted stealing the onions and taking them}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055  to the appellant in his shop to }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid4220503 sell for}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid4220503  him there is really no room for doubt that the prosecution proved t}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid4220503 he receipt by the appellant of s}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid4220503 tolen goods as stated in the charge. The only issue}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid4220503  really left for the magistrate, and this Court, to deci}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid4220503 de is w}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid4220503 hether at the time the appellant }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid4220503 knew that they were stolen goods}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 . I use the words }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 at the time}
{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  advisedly, because the circumstan}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 
ces of this case, it must be a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 t the time of receiving the two bags of onions }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 that the necessary element of m}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ens rea is relevant. This is not a case where subsequent relisation that the goods were stolen, and retention nevertheless, could constitute the offence.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 I note also here that whereas in the United K}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ingdom and many oth}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14569055 er countries (from some of which}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  defence c}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 
ounsel has cited cases) the ele}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ment}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  of mens rea}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
 relevant to the offence of receiving }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 is}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 , in Fiji it is simply }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
knowing the same to be stolen}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 .}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  So that}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  in Fiji it is not}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  sufficient for the prosecution}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
 to prove that there were grounds for the accused to believe}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  that the goods had been stolen; the court mu}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
st be satisfied that the ac}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 cused actually knew the goods we}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 re stolen. Direct proof of knowledge is unlikely as was point
ed out by the magistrate, but clearly in certain circumstances}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  the court }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 may draw the necessary inference }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 that the accused must have known}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  the goods}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 to be stolen.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 In this case }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 when the police went to the appellant's shop 3-4}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  days after the theft, with a s
earch warrant looking for the onions the appellant first categorically denied having any onions at all. The police searched and found the two bags of onions, the contents of one bag having been partly sold. The appellant then said he }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 had bought the onions from one Keolapathi, S}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 uva.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560 
 }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501 W}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
hen asked to produce dockets the appellant took the police officer aside because he didn't want anyone else to hear what he said, and then told the police officer that he had bought the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 onions from a Fijian man.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4983501\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 The appellant in his evidence denied telling these different stories to the police, but there is no doubt that on the evidence so far there are grounds}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 for the magistrate, accepting}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9926598  the police evidence as he was e}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ntitled to do, to infer guilty knowledge on the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225 part of the appellant. I}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 t is}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225  true of course that the appellant might have panicked when the police came with}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  the search warrant, and, }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225 
realising at that stage that the onions might have been stolen, tried to lie his way out of trouble, although if that were the case why not say so to the Court}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 .}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225 Defence counsel, I}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
 think, conceded that if the evidence had stopped there the magistrate's finding might have been difficult to fault.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 But that was not all the evidence. There}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7495225  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
was the evidence of the accomplice, the thief, to consider on the question of guilty knowledge, and the magistrate does not seem to have considered this aspect. A magistrate does not hav}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12219837 
e to accept or reject the whole}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  of}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12219837  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
an accomplice's evidence, h}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12483340 e may accept part and reject par}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
t, but he cannot ignore it, particularly where it might be favourable to the accused.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13448560\charrsid13448560  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
And apart from the evidence of the appellant himself, the evidence of the accomplice in this case is the only direct evidence of the actual receip
t of the goods by the appellant, and the circumstances which could be very relevant to the issue of the appellant's state of mind at the time.
\par 
\par Unfortunately the evidence of the accomplice is a little confusing, partly at least because of the sort of short
hand used by the magistrate in recording his evidence. The accomplice seems to have contradicted himself in parts and there doesn't seem to have been any attempt made to clear up the matter of the contradictions.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 However he said he didn't know the appella
nt before, but he took the onions to the appellant's shop at about 7 p.m. when the shop was shut. The appellant says it was about 7.30 p.m. as he was shutting up}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12219837  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 shop, the front being closed but the back being open.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12219837\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 The accomplice says he asked the appell
ant to sell the onions for him and if and when he did so let him have $5 a bag for them, as he wanted the money for his father's ceremony. The appellant more or less agrees with this story except that he says the accomplice wanted $6 a bag - or $5.50 (he 
wasn't very clear on this). No doubt the appellant would not want it to appear that he was buying the onions too cheaply, but in any case}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 it can't be said that there was anything necessarily suspicious about the price considering the current prices for onio
ns. The appellant said that he often helped out Fijians by selling produce for them in his shop and there was nothing unusual about the accomplice coming to his shop at about 7 p.m. That could well be true and in the absence of any contradictory evidence 
should be accepted in his favour.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 The accomplice not only denied telling the appellant}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524  that the onions we}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 re stolen but said that he had told the appellant that }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524 he had bought the onions from W}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ali Mohammed's shop. Admittedly the accomplice later denied this, and earlier said that the appellant had not asked him where he had got the onions an}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524 d he had not told him. H}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 e had never had dealings with the appellant before, there had been no receipt for the onions.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1250524\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 
Clearly the evidence of the accomplice was most unsatisfactory, but put at its most unfavourable to the appellant, it does not suggest that the appellant must necessarily have realised he was receiving goods that had been stolen. And if the accomplice had
 said}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10243815  he had bought the onions from W}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ali Mohammed there was no reason for the appellant to suspect anything.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10243815\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 There was very little significant conflict between the evidence of the accomplice and the appellant's evidence. Their stories agreed to a large degree. On}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10243815  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 the basis of the accomplice's evidence a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10243815 
lone there would clearly have bee}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 n insufficient or no evidence to convict the appellant. On the basis of the appellant's lies without the a}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10243815 ccomplice's evidence th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ere was evidence on which the magistrate could
 convict. But taking into account the accomplice's evidence and the appellant's lies, where does that leave the case against the appellant? There must be an area of conflicting inferences.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218\charrsid13448560 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 Is the only inference to be drawn from the lies that the appellant knew from the beginning that the onions were stolen? }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12483340 
Could they not, for instance, le}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 ad to an inference that the appellant had rather shut his eyes to the possibility that the onions were stolen}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218  until the police came with the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560  search warrant, when the susp
icion, or even the probability or certainty that they were stolen was forced upon him so that he foolishly tried to lie his way out of trouble. I do not have to consider all the inferences, nor shall I speculate on what necessary inference the magistrate 
must have drawn had he fully evaluated the evidence, including the evidence of the accomplice as it had a bearing on the appellant's guilty knowledge. Sufficient to say that there is a reasonable doubt that the prosecuti}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218 on proved that the appellant kne}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 w the
 onions to have been stolen and I therefore set aside the conviction of the appellant and the sentence passed on him.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14890218 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid14890218 Sgd.}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10041587  }
{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid14890218 (G.O.L. Dyke)
\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218\charrsid14890218 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13448560 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14890218 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218\charrsid13448560 LAUTOKA
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10041587 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3882296\charrsid13448560 27th September, 1979}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14890218\charrsid13448560 
\par }}