[2019] KEHC 1467 (KLR)
The court found that the sentence of five years imprisonment imposed on the appellant for attempted rape was not manifestly harsh or excessive. The trial court had considered the appellant's mitigation, including his status as a first offender and his family responsibilities. However, the offence was grave: the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 1467 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Leketerian Lenolngiro; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nanyuki
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 97 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed
- Judges
- DW Mbuteti
- Legal Topics
- Sentencing Principles, Sexual Offences, Attempted Rape
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Leketerian Lenolngiro
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence of five years imprisonment for attempted rape was manifestly harsh or excessive in the circumstances.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the sentence of five years imprisonment imposed on the appellant for attempted rape was not manifestly harsh or excessive. The trial court had considered the appellant's mitigation, including his status as a first offender and his family responsibilities. However, the offence was grave: the appellant had gone to the complainant's home under false pretenses, lingered, made unwanted sexual advances, and attempted to rape her, only being stopped by the timely arrival of her son. The law prescribes a minimum sentence of five years for attempted rape, and the trial court did not err in imposing this sentence. The appeal against sentence therefore lacked merit and was...
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed
Orders
- The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
18 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NANYUKI
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO 97 OF 2017
LEKETERIAN LENOLNGIRO………………………………..APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC ……………………………………………….……RESPONDENT
(Appeal from original Sentence dated 18/08/2017 in Nanyuki CM Criminal Case No 663 of 2016– W.J. Gichimu, PM)
J U D G M E N T
1. The Appellant herein, LEKETERIAN LENOLNGIRO,was convicted after trial of attempted rape contrary to section 4 of the Sexual Offences Act, 2006. The conviction was entered under sections 180and184of the Criminal Procedure Code, Cap 75 as the Appellant has been charged with rape contrary to section 3(1) (c) of the Sexual Offences Act. The particulars of the offence in the charge were that on 01/07/2015 in Laikipia County he caused his penis to penetrate the vagina of one AL, a person aged 23 years, without her consent.
2. On 18/08/2017 the Appellant was sentenced to serve five (5) years imprisonment. He has appealed only against that sentence. He complains that the sentence was excessive. The Respondent has opposed the appeal.
3. I have perused the trial court record. The Appellant was a first offender. He sought forgiveness in mitigation and pointed out that he took care of his children alone. The trial court took all that into consideration.
4. Under section 4 of the Sexual Offences Act any person who is convicted of attempted rape is liable to imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may be enhanced to imprisonment for life.
5. Any person who violates or attempts to violate a woman certainly deserves imprisonment. I do not consider imprisonment for five (5) years for attempted rape to be manifestly harsh or excessive in the circumstances of this case. The Appellant went to the complainant’s home in the absence of her husband under the guise of borrowing a phone battery. He lingered there and ultimately made sexual advances which she rejected. He then made a very serious attempt to rape her. It was only the return of her son upon hearing his mother screaming that saved the complainant.
6. I find no merit in this appeal against sentence. It is hereby dismissed. It is so ordered.
DATED AND SIGNED AT NANYUKI THIS 4TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2019
H P G WAWERU
JUDGE
DELIVERED AT NANYUKI THIS 5TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2019