[2020] KEHC 1469 (KLR)
The court found that the appellant's plea of guilty was unequivocal and that the sentence imposed was both lawful and lenient in light of the appellant's conduct and history of substance abuse. The Presentence Report indicated that the appellant was unsuitable for a non-custodial sentence due to ongoing substance...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 1469 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Fredrick Odhiambo Obare; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Siaya
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 85 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed
- Judges
- RE Aburili
- Legal Topics
- Malicious Damage to Property, Contempt of Court, Sentencing Principles, Substance Abuse, Rehabilitation, Plea of Guilty
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Fredrick Odhiambo Obare
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence imposed on the appellant was lawful and appropriate given the circumstances.
- 2 Whether the appellant was suitable for a non-custodial sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the appellant's plea of guilty was unequivocal and that the sentence imposed was both lawful and lenient in light of the appellant's conduct and history of substance abuse. The Presentence Report indicated that the appellant was unsuitable for a non-custodial sentence due to ongoing substance abuse and disrespectful behavior. The court concluded that a custodial sentence was necessary for the appellant's rehabilitation and to protect the public, and that only imprisonment would serve the short-term goal of reforming the appellant before his reintegration into society. The appeal against sentence was therefore dismissed.
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed
Orders
- The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
- The appellant to serve full sentence in prison.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT SIAYA
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 85 OF 2019
FREDRICK ODHIAMBO OBARE.......................APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC .............................................................RESPONDENT
(Being an appeal against sentence conviction from the judgment in the Principal Magistrate’s Court at Siaya in Criminal Case No. 1110 of 2019 dated 5. 12. 2019 by Hon. MUTHONI MWANGI Resident Magistrate.)
JUDGMENT
1. The appellant herein Fredrick Odhiambo Obare was convicted on his own plea of guilty of two counts of malicious damage to property and disrespect to the court. He was sentenced to serve 2 years imprisonment on each Count, sentences to run concurrently.
2. He appeals against sentence only.
3. I observe that the plea was unequivocal and before sentence was passed, the trial court ordered for a Presentence Report which was filed by David O. Odumba Probation Officer and is dated 15. 12. 2019.
4. The report paints the appellant/convict as a person who requires intense and closer supervision to help him quit bhang and become a good member of the society. He was found unsuitable for non-custodial sentence as he is reported to be abusing alcohol and substances from when he was in school.
5. He is a Form Four leaver and is disrespectful not only to his mother but also to the public at large. Because of substance abuse, he cannot perform any meaningful activity at home. It is claimed that some community members hail him when he is high on drugs and when he utters obscene words towards his family members.
6. I have heard the appellant in his plea for sentence reduction. He is a young man of 28 years and from his demeanor in court, he still has hallucinations of the influence of substance abuse albeit he has been off the drugs for nearly one year in prison. The sentence imposed is lawful and lenient considering the conduct of the convict/appellant.
7. For the above reasons, I am satisfied that only prison will in the short term help rehabilitate and reform the appellant to be a good person who is law abiding before he can be released back into the society.
8. I find the appeal against sentence not merited. The same is hereby dismissed.
9. The appellant to serve full sentence in prison.
10. File Closed.
11. Orders accordingly.
Dated, Signed and Delivered at Siaya this 24th day of November, 2020
R.E. ABURILI
JUDGE