Court orders re-trial in former teacher’s appeal

The High Court in Suva has ordered a re-trial in the appeal case of 40-yearold former scripture teacher Sylvia Kaur Singh.

Ms Singh appeared before Judge Justice Daniel Goundar yesterday for the judgment of her appeal.

She was convicted for the offence of assault causing actual bodily harm. She was jailed for nine months suspended for five years by the Magistrates Court in Suva.

Justice Goundar had allowed the appeal against the conviction.

He said since the appeal against the conviction was allowed, there was no need to deal with the appeal against sentence.

The orders of the court are:

■ Conviction and sentence are set aside.

■ The case is remitted to the Magistrates Court for a re-trial before another Magistrate.

■ The appellant is to appear before the Chief Magistrate on June 8 at 9.30am for a new Magistrate to be assigned to hear the re-trial.