[2015] KEHC 1115 (KLR)
The court held that, although the trial court imposed a sentence within the statutory maximum for the offence of breaking into a building and committing a felony, the appellate court retains discretion to review the sentence for leniency in light of mitigating factors. The appellants pleaded guilty, expressed...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 1115 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Fredrick Otieno Oloo; Appellant: Alphonce Otieno Onunga; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 65 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- sentence reduced
- Legal Topics
- Breaking Into Building, Handling Stolen Goods, Sentencing, Plea of Guilty
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Fredrick Otieno Oloo
Appellant
Alphonce Otieno Onunga
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence imposed by the trial court was lawful and appropriate given the appellants' plea of guilty and mitigation.
- 2 Whether the court should interfere with the sentence in light of the appellants' remorse and mitigating circumstances.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that, although the trial court imposed a sentence within the statutory maximum for the offence of breaking into a building and committing a felony, the appellate court retains discretion to review the sentence for leniency in light of mitigating factors. The appellants pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and their mitigation was considered. The court found that, despite the lawfulness of the original 5-year sentence, a reduction was warranted due to the appellants' remorse and age. Consequently, the sentence was reduced to 3 years imprisonment, to run from the date of the appellate judgment.
Court Disposition
sentence reduced
Orders
- The custodial sentence is reduced from 5 years to 3 years imprisonment for each appellant, to run from the date of this judgment.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISUMU
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.65 OF 2015
FREDRICK OTIENO OLOO..........................................................1ST APPELLANT
ALPHONCE OTIENO ONUNGA.................................................2ND APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC ….....................................................................................RESPONDENT
[APPEAL FROM ORIGINAL CONVICTION AND SENTENCE FROM NYANDO SPMS COURT: D. O. CHEPKWONY -SPM
IN CRIMINAL CASE NO.43 OF 2015. ]
J U D G M E N T
1. The appellants were charged with the offence of Breaking into a building and committing a felony contrary to Section 306(a) of the Penal Code.
2. The particulars are that on the night of 31st and 1st January 2015 at Katito trading centre in Nyakach within Kisumu county, broke and entered a building namely a store ofMESHACK OUMA OWIYO and committed therein a felony namely theft. 2 crates of bread with rice and lovely lotion, jumbo, Caroline, tip-up and variety of jellies, tooth paste, kiwi, powder, sugar 25kgs, 2 jericans of coking foil, 2 liters and 10 liters valued at kshs.70,000/=.
Count 11 Handling stolen goods contrary to Section 322 (1)(2) If the Penal Code: ALPHONCE OTIENO ONUNGA: On the 8th day of January 2015 at Katito trading centre in Nyakach District within Kisumu county otherwise than in the cause of stealing dishonestly received, retained bar soaps to wit brand ndume, Kibuyu brand, lido brand, 7 box match boxes, 10 pieces, vaseline 100 grams, 2 pieces valoon 250 grams 2 pieces, sure petroleum jelly 100 grams – 3 pieces, sure petroleum jelly 250 grams – 2 pieces, clave petroleum jelly 200 grams – 1 piece, tip-top milking jelly 200 grams – 2 pieces, sawa bathing soap 250 grams – 2 pieces, white dent tooth paste 125 grams- 2 pieces and white dent tooth paste 80 grams – 1 piece, knowing and having knowledge to believe it to be stolen property of MESHACK OUMA OWIYO
FREDRICK OTIENO OLOO:On the 8th day of January 2015 at Chabera village in Oyugis sub-county within Nyamira county otherwise than in the cause of stealing dishonestly received, retained, Sure petroleum jellies 50 grams – 2 pieces, valoon jellies 50 grams – 3 pieces, movit 150 grams – 1 piece, vaseline 50 mls- 1 piece,G&G jelly 115 mls – 1 piece, tip-top jelly 600 mls – 1 piece, U&neo jelly 60 grams – 1 piece, Lemonvate 30 grams – 3 tubes and sawa soap 250 grams – 1 piece, knowing or having knowledge to believe it to be stolen property of MESHACK OUMA OWIYO
3. They both pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own plea and sentence to serve 5 years imprisonment each. They both filed their appeal which is basically on mitigation.
4. According to the petition filed on 13. 4.15 they pray for leniency and are remorseful. The state opposed the appeal urging that they were both repeat offenders.
5. The provisions of section 348 of the Civil Procedure Code, states as follows:
“No appeal shall be allowed in the case of an accused person who has pleaded guilty and has been convicted on that plea by a subordinate court except as to the extent or legality of the sentence.”
6. The provisions of section 306(a) of the Penal Code provides for a punishment of upto 7 years. The court rightly imposed a period of 5 years. Clearly the trial court was within the law.
7. However owing to the mitigation of the appellants herein and taking into consideration their age and remorsefulness, I shall interfere with the said sentence by reducing the same from 5 years to 3 years custodial sentence to run from the date of this judgment.
Order accordingly.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED THIS 30TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2015
H. K. CHEMITEI
J U D G E