Your Son Will Be Ashamed of You: Judge
“You were shown leniency on many occasions but you did not make use of that and that has not deterred you,” said Justice Daniel Gounder
High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar told a 35-year-old serving inmate yesterday that his son would be embarrassed of him when he grows up if he did not change his behaviour.
Justice Goundar questioned serving inmate, Nemani Talau, as to what kind of example he was setting for his young son after highlighting his previous convictions, which dated back to 1998. Talau submitted written submissions in court for his appeal against his 12-month theft sentence, which was delivered in the Magistrates Court last year.
He was charged with one count where he pleaded guilty to stealing a number 14 chicken from Pak and Save Supermarket in Nausori on November 26, 2017.
He informed the court that he had served three months of his sentence and was seeking a suspension on the remainder of his term. Justice Goundar then asked Talau about his proposal concerning his anti-social behaviour adding that he had been given lenient sentences in the past, which Talau did not use to reform himself.
“Since 1998 you have been a frequent visitor to the criminal court and the criminal justice system. You were shown leniency on many occasions but you did not make use of that and that has not deterred you,” Justice Goundar told Talau.
Talau revealed that his father had died in 2010 and he only went as far as class seven because of problems within the family.
He said he was the youngest of four siblings and blamed his father for his actions whom he said portrayed similar anti-social behaviour.
State lawyer Susana Serukai moved for the application to be struck out because it was not Talau’s first offence.
Justice Goundar will deliver his appeal judgment on February 19, 2018.