[2012] KEHC 5227 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution failed to prove a key element of the offence under Section 16(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, namely that the obscene material was shown to a child. Additionally, the prosecution did not produce any exhibits, such as the alleged pornographic material, to support the charges....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] KEHC 5227 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Rashid Oyoo; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application 130 of 2011
- Procedural Posture
- Misc Criminal Application / Appeal Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal_allowed
- Judges
- HK Chemitei
- Legal Topics
- Sexual Offences Act, Plea Taking Procedure, Production of Exhibits, Constitutional Rights of Accused
- Source Language
- english
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Rashid Oyoo
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Misc Criminal Application / Appeal Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the appellant's constitutional rights during plea taking were violated.
- 2 Whether conviction could stand without production of exhibits as evidence.
- 3 Whether the prosecution proved the offence under Section 16(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, specifically regarding the presence of a child.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution failed to prove a key element of the offence under Section 16(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, namely that the obscene material was shown to a child. Additionally, the prosecution did not produce any exhibits, such as the alleged pornographic material, to support the charges. The court also noted that the appellant's constitutional rights during plea taking were not adequately safeguarded, as he was not informed of his rights or the consequences of pleading guilty. These failures rendered the conviction unsafe, and the appeal was allowed.
Court Disposition
appeal_allowed
Orders
- The appeal is allowed.
- The appellant is to be released unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISUMU
MISC CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 130 OF 2011
RASHID OYOO…………………………APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC …………………………….RESPONDENT
(From original conviction and sentence in Criminal Case number 1262of 2011 of the Chief Magistrate’s Municipal Court at Kisumu – Mr. T. Obuttu Esq.)
JUDGMENT
The appellant herein was charged with two (2) counts namely Operating Pornography Contrary to Section 16 (1) (A) as read with Section 16 (1) (E) of the Sexual Offences Act.
The particulars of the charge are that on the 23rd day of September 2011 at about 10:30 p.m within Kisumu Municipality in Kisumu District of Kisumu county was found operating and showing pornography pictures without authority.
The second count was, causing Public nuisance contrary to Section 3 (P) as read with Section 4 “A” of the MCK General Nuisances by laws 2008.
The particulars of the charge are that on the 23rd September 2011 at about 10:30 p.m within Kisumu Municipality in Kisumu District of Kisumu County was found causing public nuisances by showing pornography pictures to members of public.
On his own plea the appellant was sentence on count 1 to pay Kshs. 500,000 in default five (5) years imprisonment and on count 2 Kshs. 1,000 in default fourteen (14) days imprisonment. The appellant filed five grounds of Appeal namely:-
1. The learned trial magistrate failed to consider that police did not inform me of my rights and communicate and with an advocate and other persons whose assistance is necessary for a proper plea to take being a layman contrary to Section 49 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya.
2. The learned trial magistrate erred in law and facts by convicting me for an offence on my own plea of guilt without production of the exhibit allegedly recovered from the scene.
3. The learned trial magistrate erred in law and facts by convicting me without informing me of my rights of not pleading guilty and the consequences of pleading guilty to the offence promptly.
4. The learned trial magistrate admitted the facts of the prosecution after my plea of guilty without support of such exhibits which was contrary to Section 50 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya and for me to confirm the genuiness or the right exhibits produced.
5. The learned trial magistrate failed to consider my mitigation on non custodial sentence contrary to Section 50 (2) of the constitution of Kenya and moreso order made for the return of my properties recovered as exhibits contrary to Section 50 (2) of the constitution of Kenya.
When this matter come up for hearing the respondent counsel conceded to the appeal. I have listened to the counsel for the appellant and in particular the submission raised orally in court. Section 16 (1) (a) in which the appellant was charged against reads:-
16 (1) (a) any person including a juristic person who
(a)Knowingly displays, shows, exposes, or exhibits obscene images, words or sounds by means of print, audio – visual or any other media to a child with intention of encouraging or enabling a child to engage in sexual acts”.
(e)Offences or attempts to do any act which is an offence under this Section;………………………………………………………………………..…..
The prosecution didn’t prove that the offence was committed in the presence of a child. M.A was not proved to have been a child.The appeal on this ground succeed.
Further as contended by the appellant there was no production of any exhibits. The pornographic material or used condoms were never produced. This shows the shoddy investigation by the prosecution.
Consequently, I shall allow the appeal and order the release of the appellant unless lawfully held. In the event that the appellant had paid any fine then the same should be refunded.
Order accordingly.
Dated, signed and delivered at Kisumu this 5th of March 2012
H. K. CHEMITEI
JUDGE
In the presence of:
……………………………………………for State
……………………………….Appellant in person
HKC/aao