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{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. CAV0001 of 2005S \par ( Fiji}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Court}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 of Appeal No. AAU0061 of}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 2004S) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 B}{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 ETWEEN:}{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid10434557 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\b\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 PAULA VURA}{\b\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Petitioner}{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 AND:}{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid10434557 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\b\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 THE STATE \par }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 \par Coram:}{\fs24\insrsid14287287 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 The Hon Justice Daniel Fatiaki, President of Supreme Court \par The Rt Hon Justice Thomas Gault, Judge}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 of Supreme Court \par The Hon Justice Kenneth Handley, Judge of Supreme Court \par \par Hearing:}{\fs24\insrsid14287287 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Tuesday, 12 October 2005, Suva \par }{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Counsel:}{\fs24\insrsid14287287 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Petitioner in Person \par Mr R. Gibson and Mr D. Gounder for the Respondent \par }{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Date of }{\fs24\insrsid14287287 Judgment: }{\fs24\insrsid7240067 Friday, 21 October }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 2005, Suva \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14287287 {\b\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid14287287 REASONS FOR JUDGMENT ON PETITION FOR SPECIAL LEAVE TO APPEAL \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 [1]\tab At the end of the hearing the Court announced that the petition would be dismissed and that reasons would be given in writing in due course.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Those reasons are now given. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 [2]\tab The petitioner was one of a group who planned and executed the robbery of a private residence at Veisari.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Two occupants were pres}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 e}{ \fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 nt when they}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 broke in.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Other occupants returned while the offenders were still there.}{ \fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 Household and personal items wer}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 e}{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 taken and loaded into a vehicle belonging to the family.}{ \fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5118667\charrsid10434557 One family member was taken forcefully with the offenders when they left. \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 \par [3]\tab In the course of the intrusion, the victims were threatened and tied up.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 Fortunately no-one was physically in}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 j}{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 ured and the young family member who was abducted was }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 later }{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 released unharmed. \par \par [4]\tab The petitioner confe}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 ss}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 ed to the police his participation in the offending.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 He eventually pleaded guilty to five charges of robbery (all part of the same incident), one of unlawful use of a motor vehicle}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 ,}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 one of driving}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 without a licence and one of driving in contravention of third party }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 insurance }{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 risk.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 He was sentenced in the Magistrate\rquote s Court}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 ,}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 Suva on 27 February 2004.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 In respect of four of the robbery offences the sentence was imprisonment }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 for}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 7 years.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 On the other cou}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 n}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 t }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 of}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 robbery (presumably because of }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 the value of property stolen),}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 t}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 he sentence was 9 years.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 For the }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 driving offences the sentences were respectively }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 of 1,}{\fs24\insrsid6226546\charrsid10434557 }{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 6 and 12 months}{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 .}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 All, sentences were or}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 dered to be served concurrently making a total effective sentence of 9 years imprisonment.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 There was also an order of disqualification for 12 months.}{\fs24\insrsid15207185\charrsid10434557 \par }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 \par [5]\tab The petitioner appealed to the High Court against his sentence.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 He challenged some of the facts on which he had been sentence}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 d}{ \fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 by the Magistrate}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 -}{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 in particular}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 that }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 he tied }{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 up some of the }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 victims and that}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 he carried a cane knife \endash though he did not dispute that he knew a ca}{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 n}{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 e knife was being carried by one of the }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 group}{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 .}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{ \fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 He submitted that there had been insufficient credit }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 given }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 for his guilty plea, remorse}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 ,}{ \fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 and family responsibilities. \par \par [6]\tab The }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 decision of the High Court was }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 that the sentence of}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 9 years }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 was }{ \fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 correct in principle, }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 though the separate concurrent}{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 sentences on the robbery charges were adjusted so that they were }{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 all }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 of 9 years }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 reflecting the identical circumstance}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 s}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 . }{\fs24\insrsid13590958\charrsid10434557 \par }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 \par [7]\tab The petitioner appealed to the Court of Appeal contending that t}{\fs24\insrsid6226546\charrsid10434557 he sentence was unduly harsh, di}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 sp}{\fs24\insrsid15356959\charrsid10434557 a}{ \fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 r}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 a}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 t}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 e}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 and did not sufficiently allow for mitigating factors.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 His appeal was dismissed in light of the limited jurisdiction conferred by }{\b\i\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 Section 22}{ \fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 of the }{\b\i\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 Court of Appeal Act}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 to entertain sentence appeals from the High Court acting in its appellate jurisdiction.}{ \fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 That provision permits appeals only on the ground that the sentence was an unlawful }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 one}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 or }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 was}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 passed in consequence of an error of law.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 The Court held that the grounds put forward did not qualify. \par \par [8]\tab This Court has }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 no wider powers than}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 the Court of Appeal and therefore can consider appeals against sentence onl y if it is contended that a sentence is unlawful or was imposed in consequence of an error of law.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 In addition}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 ,}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 under }{\b\i\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 Section 7(2)}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 of the }{\b\i\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 Supreme Court Act 1998}{\fs24\insrsid2386054\charrsid10434557 , leave to appeal to this Court cannot be granted unless: \par }{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard\plain \s17\ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10434557 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\i\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 \'93}{\b\i\insrsid14952873\charrsid10434557 } {\b\i\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 (a)\tab }{\b\i\insrsid8805467\charrsid10434557 }{\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 a question of general legal importance is involved; \par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\insrsid5067781\charrsid7240067 \par }\pard \s17\ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\b\i\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 (b)}{\b\i\insrsid7240067 }{\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 a substantial question of principle affecting the }{\b\i\insrsid8805467\charrsid10434557 }{\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 administration of criminal justice is involved; or \par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \s17\ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\b\i\insrsid7240067 (c) }{\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 substantial and grave injustice may otherwise}{\b\i\insrsid8805467\charrsid10434557 }{\b\i\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 occur.\'94 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10434557 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 [9]\tab In his petition for special leave to appeal the petitioner put forward grounds similar to those advanced in the Court of Appeal.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 In his oral submissions he raised some factua}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 l matters in an effort to show }{\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 that he played a lesser role in the offending and benefited less than others,}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 }{\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 but these are not ma}{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 t}{\fs24\insrsid5067781\charrsid10434557 ters we can investigate on a final appeal. \par }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 \par [10]\tab The principal point relied on was one of disparity of sentence.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 The appellant submitted, in effect, that his sentence is inappropriately harsh when compared with a co-offender he claimed was the instigator. \par \par [11]\tab At the time the petitioner\rquote s sentence was imposed on 26 February 2004, two co-offenders had been sentenced by a different Magistrate.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 One had been sentenced to imprisonment for 9 years to be served consecutively with a current sentence of 5 year}{\fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 s resulting in a total term of }{\fs24\insrsid14700194\charrsid10434557 1}{ \fs24\insrsid10114251\charrsid10434557 4}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 years.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 The other was sentenced to 4 years to be served consecutively with a 10 year sentence}{ \fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 he was already serving,}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 also making a total of 14 years.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 Taking into account the principle of totality in sentencing there is nothing in those sentences }{\fs24\insrsid14700194\charrsid10434557 inconsistent with}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 the sentence }{ \fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 subsequently imposed on the petitioner. \par \par [12]\tab However, after the petitioner was sentenced, one of the co-offenders success}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 fully}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 appealed against his earlier 10 year sentence for unrelated offending.}{ \fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 That was reduced to 4 years with the effect that his total sentence for the robbery we}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 are concerned with a}{ \fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 nd the unrelated offending is less than}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 the petitioner\rquote s sentence. \par \par [13]\tab Plainly if the Magistrate who sentenced the co-offender had known that }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 the}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 earlier 10 year sentence would be reduced to 4 years he would have imposed a much harsher sentence for the robberies.}{\fs24\insrsid7240067 }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 But there can be no justification for reducing an entirely appropriate sentence on disparity grounds because the sentence on a co-offender has subsequently, through co}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 rrec}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 tion of unrelated error, beco}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 me unacceptably low. \par \par [14]\tab Accordingly both because no error of law had been disclosed}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 ,}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 and because}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 , in any event }{ \fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 we are satisfied there is no basis for appella}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 te}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 intervention, special leave to appeal must be refused. \par \par }{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 [15]\tab This cas}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 e }{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 plainly }{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 demonstrates the difficulties that can arise where co-offenders, even when they plead guilty}{\fs24\insrsid11557938\charrsid10434557 ,}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 are not dealt with together}{\fs24\insrsid342394\charrsid10434557 by the same Court.}{\fs24\insrsid9176535\charrsid10434557 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7240067 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Hon. Justice Daniel Fatiaki \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 President of Supreme Court \par }\pard \s17\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\b\ul\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \s17\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\b\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Rt}{\b\insrsid7240067 }{\b\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Hon Justice Thomas Gault \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Judge of Supreme Court \par }\pard \s17\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\b\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 \par }\pard \s17\qc \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\b\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Hon. Justice Kenneth Handley \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Judge of Supreme Court \par }\pard \s17\ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10434557 {\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5507002\charrsid10434557 Solicitors: \par }{\insrsid5507002\charrsid7240067 \par Petitioner in Person \par Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Suva for the Respondent \par \par }\pard \s17\qr \fi-720\li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7240067 {\insrsid5507002\charrsid7240067 CAV0001.05S \par }}