[2020] KEHC 3236 (KLR)
The court found that the trial magistrate had considered the appellant's mitigation and the circumstances of the offence, including the deliberate nature of the assault and the seriousness of the injuries. The sentence of 2 years' imprisonment was within the law and not manifestly excessive. No wrong principle was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 3236 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Ezekiel Barongo alias Magenze; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 104 of 2020
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed
- Judges
- REA Ougo
- Legal Topics
- Sentencing Principles, Grievous Harm, Appeal on Sentence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Ezekiel Barongo alias Magenze
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence of 2 years' imprisonment for causing grievous harm was lawful and appropriate.
- 2 Whether the trial court exercised its sentencing discretion properly.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the trial magistrate had considered the appellant's mitigation and the circumstances of the offence, including the deliberate nature of the assault and the seriousness of the injuries. The sentence of 2 years' imprisonment was within the law and not manifestly excessive. No wrong principle was applied nor were material factors overlooked. Therefore, there was no basis for the appellate court to interfere with the sentence imposed by the trial court.
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed
Orders
- The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
- The sentence of 2 years' imprisonment is upheld.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISII
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO 104 OF 2019
EZEKIEL BARONGO alias MAGENZE.........APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC.......................................................RESPONDENT
(From Original Conviction and Sentence in Ogembo SPM Criminal Case No. 880 of 2019 dated 18th July 2019 before Hon. D. Mikoyan– S.P.M)
JUDGMENT
1. This is an appeal regarding sentence only as the appellant, EZEKIEL BARONGO alias MAGENZE, was convicted for the offence of causing grievous harm contrary to section 234 of the Penal Code (Chapter 63 of the Laws of Kenya). The charge against him was that on 1st March 2019 at Machoge Chache location within Gucha sub-county in Kisii County unlawfully did grievous harm to Benedict Bosire. He was sentenced to serve 2 years’ imprisonment.
2. The facts of the case were that Benedict Bosire Nyatobe (Pw2) on 1st March 2019 met the appellant fighting with a lady and 2 children who were at the scene sought refuge in him. The appellant stopped fighting the lady, approached him and punched him on the mouth. He started bleeding because his tooth got loose and he eventually fell down. Jamel Koboi Oantiri (Pw3) testified that he saw the appellant beat Pw1 and he intervened. The clinical officer, Gilbert Simba (Pw3), testified that Pw2 had a fracture on interior upper tooth number 11 and an extraction was done. He concluded that the injury was caused by a blunt object and the nature of the injury was grievous harm.
3. Mr. Otieno for the State submitted that the offence attracts a maximum of life imprisonment and that the trial magistrate after considering all the circumstances properly exercise his discretion in sentencing the appellant.
4. Since this is an appeal on sentence, an appellate court will not review or alter a sentence imposed by the trial court on the mere ground that if the appellate court had been trying the appellant it would have passed a somewhat different sentence, and will not ordinarily interfere with the discretion of a trial judge unless the judge acted on some wrong principle or overlooked some material factors or issued a sentence that was manifestly excessive. (See Macharia vs. Republic [2003] EA 559)
5. The appellant in his mitigation, admitted that he had assaulted the complainant and asked for a lenient sentence on account that he is the breadwinner of the family.
6. The trial court after considering the appellant’s mitigation sentenced the appellant to 2 years’ imprisonment. The evidence is that the assault was deliberate and the resultant injuries were serious. Having considered the circumstances leading to the assault and I do not find any reason to interfere with the otherwise lawful sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment. The appeal is dismissed.
Dated, signedanddeliveredatKisiithis 25thday of June2020.
R.E. OUGO
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Appellant In Person
Mr. Otieno Senior Prosecution Counsel Office of DPP
Ms. Rael Court Assistant