Vuloko v Reginam [1977] FJSC 49; Criminal Appeal 075 of 1977 (2 September 1977)

Fiji Islands - Vuloko v Reginam - Pacific Law Materials

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI

APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 75 of 1977

RU VATE VULOKO
Appellant

V.

REGINAM
Respondent

JUDGMb>

He appeals against both his conviction and his sentence.

His only ground of appeal relating to his conviction is that he had admitted his guilt to the police only because he had been frightened of them. At the trial he had also made an unsworn statement to that effect.

The record clearly shows that the learned Magistrate gave the accused the fullest opportunity, and a great deal of encouragement, to cross-examine police witnesses on the issue, but the accused refused to ask them any questions.

There is nothing in the record to suggest that the learned Magistrate erred in treating the accused's admission of guilt to the police as voluntary and true. The appeal against conviction is accordingly dismissed.

There is nothing in the ground relating to the sentence and the appeal against sentence is also dismissed.

G. Mishra
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE

Suva,
2nd September, 1977