State v J.L. [2025] FJHC 193; HAC31.2023 (9 April 2025)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
AT LAUTOKA
[CRIMINAL JURISDICTION]
CRIMINAL CASE NO: HAC 31 of 2023

Counsel: Ms. Shreta Prakash with Ms. Michelle Lomaloma for the State
Mr. Pritesh Chand for the 1^st Named Juvenile
Ms. Lusiana Naikawakawavesi for the 2^nd Named Juvenile

Punishment Hearing: 18 October 2024
Date of Punishment: 9 April 2025 [Paragraph 42 explains the reasons for the delay]

The name of the two Juveniles have been suppressed. Accordingly, the 1^st Named Juvenile will be referred to as J.L. and the 2^nd Named Juvenile will be referred to as R.N.B.

[1] J.L. and R.N.B. as per the Consolidated Information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), you were charged with the following offences:

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY: Contrary to Section 313 (1) (a) of the Crimes Act 2009.

J.L. and R.N.B., between the 25^th day of December 2022 and 26^th day of December 2022, at Mihamajin, Ba, in the Western Division, entered into the house of MINESHNI NAIDU as trespassers, with intent to commit theft.

J.L. and R.N.B., between the 25^th day of December 2022 and 26^th day of December 2022, at Mihamajin, at Ba, in the Western Division, dishonestly appropriated $160 cash, 3 x gold chains, 1 x gold bangle and 1 x nuptial chain, the property of MINESHNI NAIDU, with intention of permanently depriving the said MINESHNI NAIDU of her properties.

[2] This matter was first called before me on 24 February 2023. Originally only the 1^st Juvenile was named in the case. On 3 April 2023, the State made an application to consolidate this case with High Court Lautoka, Criminal Case No. HAC 35 of 2023, where the 2^nd Juvenile was named. This Court permitted the application for consolidation of the two matters. It was decided that consolidated case number would remain as High Court Lautoka, Criminal Case No. HAC 31 of 2023.

[3] On 25 May 2023, the DPP filed and served the Consolidated Disclosures relevant to the case; while on 30 June 2023, the Consolidated Information was filed and served and the matter was adjourned for plea.

[4] However, the plea in this case was deferred on a number of occasions due to the absence of the 2^nd Juvenile. As such, a bench warrant had to be issued on the 2^nd Juvenile to secure his presence in Court. On 8 May 2024, the 2^nd Juvenile was present in Court. Due to his prolonged absence from Court his bail was cancelled and he was remanded into custody at the Boys Centre in Suva.

[5] J.L. on 8 May 2024, you were ready to take your plea. On that day, you pleaded guilty to the two counts against you in the Consolidated Information. However, this Court was not entirely satisfied that you pleaded guilty on your own free will and free from any influence. Thus your guilty plea was vacated, and a not guilty plea entered. R.N.B. your plea was again deferred for another day.

[6] J.L. and R.N.B., on 23 May 2024, you were both ready to take your pleas once again. On that day, you both pleaded guilty to the two counts against you in the Consolidated Information. This Court was satisfied that you both pleaded guilty on your own free will and free from any influence. Court found that you fully understood the nature of the charges against you and the consequences of your guilty pleas.

[7] On 21 June 2024, the State filed the Summary of Facts. On the same day, the Summary of Facts were read out and explained to the two of you and you understood and agreed to the same. Accordingly, this Court found your guilty pleas to be unequivocal. This Court found that the facts support all elements of the two counts in the Consolidated Information, and found the two counts proved on the Summary of Facts agreed by you. Accordingly, J.L. and R.N.B., this Court found you guilty on your own plea in respect of the two counts of Aggravated Burglary and Theft as charged.

[10] J.L. and R.N.B., you have admitted to the above Summary of Facts and taken full responsibility for your actions.

[11] Section 4(1) of the Sentencing and Penalties Act No. 42 of 2009 (“Sentencing and Penalties Act”) stipulates the relevant factors that a Court should take into account during the sentencing process. The factors are as follows:

4. — (1) The only purposes for which sentencing may be imposed by a court are —

(a) to punish offenders to an extent and in a manner which is just in all the circumstances;

(c) to deter offenders or other persons from committing offences of the same or similar nature;

(d) to establish conditions so that rehabilitation of offenders may be promoted or facilitated;

(e) to signify that the court and the community denounce the commission of such offences; or

[12] Furthermore, Section 4(2) of the Sentencing and Penalties Act provides that in sentencing offenders a Court must have regard to the following factors—

(b) current sentencing practice and the terms of any applicable guideline judgment;

(d) the offender’s culpability and degree of responsibility for the offence;

(e) the impact of the offence on any victim of the offence and the injury, loss or damage resulting from the offence;

(f) whether the offender pleaded guilty to the offence, and if so, the stage in the proceedings at which the offender did so or indicated an intention to do so;

(g) the conduct of the offender during the trial as an indication of remorse or the lack of remorse;

(h) any action taken by the offender to make restitution for the injury, loss or damage arising from the offence, including his or her willingness to comply with any order for restitution that a court may consider under this Decree;

(j) the presence of any aggravating or mitigating factor concerning the offender or any other circumstance relevant to the commission of the offence; and

(k) any matter stated in this Decree as being grounds for applying a particular sentencing option.

[13] J.L. and R.N.B., I have duly considered the above factors in determining the punishment to be imposed on you.

[14] In terms of Section 313 (1) of the Crimes Act No 44 of 2009 (Crimes Act), “A person commits an indictable offence (of Aggravated Burglary) if he or she-

The offence of ‘Burglary’ is defined at Section 312 (1) of the Crimes Act as follows: “A person commits an indictable offence (which is triable summarily) if he or she enters or remains in a building as a trespasser, with intent to commit theft of a particular item of property in the building”.

The offence of Aggravated Burglary in terms of Section 313 (1) of the Crimes Act carries a maximum penalty of 17 years imprisonment.

[15] The tariff that this Court had been consistently following for the offence of Aggravated Burglary, was between 18 months to 3 years imprisonment. Even the Court of Appeal in Leqavuni v. State [2016] FJCA 31; AAU 106.2014 (26 February 2016), observed that the tariff for Aggravated Burglary was between 18 months to 3 years.

[16] However, in the decision of (Avishkar Rohinesh) Kumar & Another v State [2022] FJCA 164; AAU117.2019 (24 November 2022), the Fiji Court of Appeal formulated a new tariff for the offences of Burglary and Aggravated Burglary. Resident Justice of Appeal, His Lordship Justice Chandana Prematilaka (with Justices Suhada Gamalath and Priyantha Nawana agreeing) held:

“[75] As the first step, the court should determine harm caused or intended by reference to the level of harm in the offending to decide whether it falls into High, Medium or Low category. The factors indicating higher and lower culpability along with aggravating and mitigating factors could be used in the matter of deciding the sentencing range. This would allow sentencers wider discretion and greater freedom to arrive at an appropriate sentence that fits the offending and the offender.

The Court should determine the offence category among 01-03 using inter alia the factors given in the table below:

Factors indicating greater harm

Theft of/damage to property causing a significant degree of loss to the victim (whether economic, commercial, sentimental or personal value).

Soiling, ransacking or vandalism of property.

Restraint, detention or gratuitous degradation of the victim, which is greater than is necessary to succeed in the burglary. Occupier or victim at home or on the premises (or returns home) while offender present.

Significant physical or psychological injury or other significant trauma to the victim beyond the normal inevitable consequence burglary.

Violence used or threatened against victim, particularly the deadly nature of the weapon.

Context of general public disorder.

Factors indicating lesser harm

Nothing stolen or only property of very low value to the victim (whether economic, sentimental or personal). No physical or psychological injury or other significant trauma to the victim.

Limited damage or disturbance to property. No violence used or threatened and a weapon is not produced.

[76] Once the level of harm has been identified, the Court should use the corresponding starting point in the following table to reach a sentence within the appropriate sentencing range. The starting point will apply to all offenders whether they plead guilty or not guilty and irrespective of previous convictions. A case of particular gravity, reflected by multiple features of harm, could merit upward adjustment from the starting point before further adjustment for level of culpability and aggravating or mitigating features.

LEVEL OF HARM (CATEGORY)	BURGLARY (OFFENDER ALONE AND WITHOUT A WEAPON)	AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OFFENDER EITHER WITH ANOTHER OR WITH A WEAPON)	AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OFFENDER WITH ANOTHER AND WITH A WEAPON)
HIGH	Starting Point: 05 years Sentencing Range: 03–08 years	Starting Point: 07 years Sentencing Range: 05–10 years	Starting Point: 09 years Sentencing Range: 08–12 years
MEDIUM	Starting Point: 03 years Sentencing Range: 01–05 years	Starting Point: 05 years Sentencing Range: 03–08 years	Starting Point: 07 years Sentencing Range: 05–10 years
LOW	Starting Point: 01 year Sentencing Range: 06 months – 03 years	Starting Point: 03 years Sentencing Range: 01–05 years	Starting Point: 05 years Sentencing Range: 03–08 years

[17] Considering all the facts and circumstances of this case, as is depicted in the Summary of Facts, it is my opinion that the level of harm could be considered as low. This is due to the fact that the stolen property was not of a reasonably high value and since no physical or psychological injury or other significant trauma was caused to the victim and since no violence was used. Therefore, the appropriate tariff in this case should be in the range of 1 to 5 years imprisonment for the offence of Aggravated Burglary.

[18] In terms of Section 291 (1) of the Crimes Act “A person commits a summary offence if he or she dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of the property”. The offence of Theft in terms of Section 291 (1) of the Crimes Act carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
[19] In Ratusili v. State [2012] FJHC 1249; HAA011.2012 (1 August 2012); His Lordship Justice Madigan proposed the following tariff for the offence of Theft:

“(i) For a first offence of simple theft the sentencing range should be between 2 and 9 months.

(iii) Theft of large sums of money and thefts in breach of trust, whether first offence or not can attract sentences of up to three years.

(iv) Regard should be had to the nature of the relationship between offender and victim.

(v) Planned thefts will attract greater sentences than opportunistic thefts.”

[20] Since the theft in this case was consequent to the two of you entering the dwelling house of the complainant as trespassers, this cannot be considered as theft simpliciter. Therefore, it is my opinion that the appropriate tariff in this case should be in the range of 6 months to 3 years imprisonment for the offence of Theft.

[21] In determining the starting point within a tariff, the Court of Appeal, in Laisiasa Koroivuki v State [2013] FJCA 15; AAU 0018 of 2010 (5 March 2013); has formulated the following guiding principles:

“In selecting a starting point, the court must have regard to an objective seriousness of the offence. No reference should be made to the mitigating and aggravating factors at this time. As a matter of good practice, the starting point should be picked from the lower or middle range of the tariff. After adjusting for the mitigating and aggravating factors, the final term should fall within the tariff. If the final term falls either below or higher than the tariff, then the sentencing court should provide reasons why the sentence is outside the range.”

[22] In Kumar & Another v State (supra), their Lordships held that once the level of harm has been identified, the Court should use the corresponding starting point in the given table to reach a sentence within the appropriate sentencing range (paragraph 76 of the Judgment). As could be observed, the starting points in the said table are all in the middle range of the sentencing tariff.

[23] However, I respectfully submit that this is not consistent with what has been stated in Laisiasa Koroivuki v State (supra), where it was held that as a matter of good practice, the starting point should be picked from the lower or middle range of the sentencing tariff.

[24] In terms of the Juveniles Act No. 13 of 1973 (Juveniles Act) (as amended) a "juvenile" has been defined to mean a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, and includes a child and a young person. A "child" means a person who has not attained the age of fourteen years; while a "young person" means a person who has attained the age of fourteen years, but who has not attained the age of eighteen years.

[25] Section 30 of the Juveniles Act imposes certain restrictions on the punishments which Courts could order against juvenile offenders. The Section provides that:

“(1) No child shall be ordered to be imprisoned for any offence.

(2) No young person shall be ordered to be imprisoned for an offence, or to be committed to prison in default of payment of a fine, damages or costs, unless the court certifies that he is of so unruly a character that he cannot be detained in an approved institution or that he is of so depraved a character that he is not a fit person to be so detained.

(3) A young person shall not be ordered to be imprisoned for more than two years for any offence.”

(ii) The two of you trespassed into the premises of the complainant’s residential home, while it was unoccupied, thereby paying complete disregard to the privacy and property rights of the said complainant. By your actions you have disturbed the peace in the community.

(i) That at the time of committing these offences you were both juvenile offenders (young persons).

(ii) You fully co-operated with the Police when you were taken in for questioning and subsequently charged instead of trying to circumvent the course of justice.

(iii) You have submitted that you are truly remorseful of your actions and assured Court that you will not re-offend and are willing to reform.

[28] Considering the nature and gravity of the offending, your culpability and degree of responsibility for the offending, the aggravating factors and mitigating factors aforesaid, and also the restrictions placed on this Court in terms of the provisions of Section 30(3) of the Juveniles Act, J.L. and R.N.B., I impose on each of you a punishment of 2 years’ imprisonment for the charge of Aggravated Burglary and 1 years’ imprisonment for the count of Theft.

[29] In the circumstances, J.L. and R.N.B., your punishments are as follows:

Count 1- Aggravated Burglary contrary to Section 313 (1) (a) of the Crimes Act-2 years’ imprisonment.

Count 2- Theft contrary to Section 291 (1) of the Crimes Act –1 years’ imprisonment.

I order that all punishments to run concurrently. Therefore, your final total term will be 2 years imprisonment each.

[30] The next issue for consideration is whether your punishment should be suspended.

(1) On sentencing an offender to a term of imprisonment a court may make an order suspending, for a period specified by the court, the whole or part of the sentence, if it is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances.

(2) A court may only make an order suspending a sentence of imprisonment if the period of imprisonment imposed, or the aggregate period of imprisonment where the offender is sentenced in the proceeding for more than one offence,—

[32] J.L. you are now 20 years of age [Your date of birth being 19 February 2005]. At the time of the offending in this case you were 17 years of age. You are said to be residing at Natalecake Village, Ba, with your sister’s family. Your parents are said to be residing at Yasawa Island. You are single. Your highest level of education attained is said to be Year 8 (Primary School) at Yasawa Island. You are said to be a labourer engaged in cutting sugar cane, earning approximately $50.00 weekly. With this income you are supporting yourself and contributing to your sister’s household expenses.

[33] J.L. you have acknowledged that there was a lapse of sound judgment on your part that led to committing this offence. You are said to have recognized that your conduct was unjustified and improper. You have indicated that you are willing to reform and not re-offend in the future.

[34] R.N.B. you are now 17 years of age [Your date of birth being 14 May 2007]. You would be turning 18 next month. At the time of the offending in this case you were 15 years of age. You are said to be a student at Nasinu Secondary School. You have been raised and supported by your single mother after the passing away of your father.

[35] R.N.B. you have submitted that you committed these offences due to your wrong judgment and due to peer pressure. You have taken full responsibility for your conduct.

[36] In Singh & Others v. State [2000] FJHC 115; HAA 79J of 2000S (26 October 2000); Her Ladyship Madam Justice Shameem held:

“....However as a general rule, leniency is shown to first offenders, young offenders, and offenders who plead guilty and express remorse. If these factors are present then the offender is usually given a non-custodial sentence.”

[37] In Nariva v. The State [2006] FJHC 6; HAA 148J.2005S (9 February 2006); Her Ladyship Madam Justice Shameem held:

“The courts must always make every effort to keep young first offenders out of prison. Prisons do not always rehabilitate the young offender. Non-custodial measures should be carefully explored first to assess whether the offender would acquire accountability and a sense of responsibility from such measures in preference to imprisonment.”

[38] J.L. you cannot be considered as a first offender. It has been submitted to Court that you have been previously punished by the High Court of Lautoka, for similar offences of Aggravated Burglary and Theft, on 21 December 2023 [High Court Lautoka, Criminal Case No. HAC 32 of 2023]. The date of offending was 16 January 2023. You were imposed a punishment of 1 year and 10 months imprisonment as an aggregate punishment for the two counts, which punishment was suspended for a period of 3 years, with effect from 21 December 2023.

[39] R.N.B. you cannot be considered as a first offender. It has been submitted to Court that you have been previously punished by the Magistrate’s Court of Ba, for similar offences of Aggravated Burglary and Theft, on 29 October 2024 [Magistrate’s Court of Ba, Juvenile Case No. 6 of 2023]. The date of offending was 16 January 2023. You were imposed a punishment of 20 months imprisonment, which punishment was suspended for a period of 3 years, with effect from 29 October 2024.

[40] J.L. you were arrested for this case on 31 January 2023 and produced in the Magistrate’s Court of Ba on 3 February 2023. You were granted bail by this Court on 13 April 2023. Therefore, you had been in remand custody for approximately 2 ½ months.

[41] R.N.B. you were arrested for this case on 20 February 2023 and produced in the Magistrate’s Court of Ba on 22 February 2023. You had been granted bail on the same day. Due to your continuous absence from Court without any explanation, a bench warrant had to be issued on you to secure your presence. On 8 May 2024, you were present in Court. On that day your bail was cancelled and you were remanded into custody at the Boys Centre in Suva.

[42] However, around November 2024, you had escaped/run away from the Boy’s Centre. You were arrested by the Police and said to have been produced in the Magistrate’s Court of Suva for Escaping from Lawful Custody. You had pleaded guilty to the charge and was imposed a suspended punishment. As a result, you failed to appear in Court on 4 occasions on which this matter was fixed for punishment (On 20 November 2024, 11 December 2024, 31 January 2025 and 12 March 2025). As such, pronouncement of the punishment in this matter was delayed until today.

[43] However, J.L. and R.N.B. you are both young offenders. You were both juveniles at the time of the offending. You have fully co-operated with the Police in this matter and you have accepted responsibility for your conduct. You have submitted that you are truly remorseful of your actions and promised not re-offend and that you are willing to reform. You both entered guilty pleas during the course of these proceedings.

[44] J.L. as per the Pre Punishment Report (dated 14 December 2023 and filed in High Court Lautoka, Criminal Case No. HAC 32 of 2023) submitted by Mr. Napolioni Wara, the Community Based Correction Officer, West, Department of Social Welfare, Lautoka Office, it is stated that you have admitted and taken full responsibility for your actions. You have acknowledged that you have committed these offences and regret the rash decision to follow your peers. You are said to be very remorseful of your actions and undertaken never to re-offend. You have also apologized to your parents as well as your sister’s family. You have stated that you would endeavour to become a successful person in life where you plan to pursue further studies if given an opportunity. You have stated that you want to become a Carpenter when you grow up and have promised yourself to achieve this goal.

[45] R.N.B. as per the Pre Punishment Report filed in Court today by Mr. Napolioni Wara, the Community Based Correction Officer, West, Department of Social Welfare, Lautoka Office, it is stated that you have admitted and taken full responsibility for your actions. You have acknowledged that you have committed these offences and regret the rash decision to follow your peers. You are said to be very remorseful of your actions and undertaken never to re-offend. You have also apologized to your mother as well as your siblings. You have stated that you would endeavour to become a successful person in life where you plan to pursue further studies if given an opportunity. You have stated that you want to join Polytech Institution in Tavua where you will study a program on Housekeeping. You have stated that you wish to join the tourism industry as this was one of your desires since a very young age.

[46] For the aforesaid reasons, J.L. and R.N.B., it is my opinion that the chances for your rehabilitation is high. Therefore, I deem it appropriate to suspend your punishment.

[47] However, in order to deter you and other persons from committing offences of the same or similar nature, and also to protect the community we live in, I suspend your punishments for a period of 7 years.

[48] In the result, J.L. and R.N.B., your final punishment of 2 years imprisonment, is suspended for a period of 7 years with effect from today. You are advised of the effect of breaching a suspended punishment. These punishments would be concurrent to any other punishments that have already been imposed on you and which you are serving.

[49] Furthermore, J.L. Court orders that you be put under probation of the Social Welfare Department for a period of 2 years. The Social Welfare Department is to immediately arrange for counselling to be provided to you in the presence of your sister/parents. The Social Welfare Department is to provide all necessary assistance, support and counselling to your sister/parents, so that they improve their parenting skills towards you. It is also the responsibility of your sister/parents to ensure that you obey any directions given by the Social Welfare Department.

[50] Furthermore, R.N.B. Court orders that you be put under probation of the Social Welfare Department for a period of 2 years. The Social Welfare Department is to immediately arrange for counselling to be provided to you in the presence of your mother. The Social Welfare Department is to provide all necessary assistance, support and counselling to your mother, so that she improves her parenting skills towards you. It is also the responsibility of your mother to ensure that you obey any directions given by the Social Welfare Department.

[51] A copy of this Punishment is to be served on the Officer in Charge of the Department of Social Welfare, Lautoka Office.

Solicitors for the State: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lautoka.
Solicitors for the 1^st and 2^nd Juveniles: Office of the Legal Aid Commission, Lautoka.

High Court of Fiji

State v J.L. [2025] FJHC 193; HAC31.2023 (9 April 2025)