Crown v Maboee and Others (C of A (CRI) 7 of 2010) [2012] LSCA 12 (27 April 2012)
The court found that the doctrine of common purpose did not support the murder convictions due to insufficient evidence linking the accused to the killing after the police had capitulated. Robbery convictions were upheld where evidence showed the accused's active participation or complicity. The court held that the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] LSCA 12
- Parties
- Appellant: The Crown; First Respondent: Raselebelimaboe; Second Respondent: Antipase Selomo; Third Respondent: Thapelo Ntaopane; Fourth Respondent: Malefane Thamae; Fifth Respondent: Mochema Mochema; Sixth Respondent: Monyane Mokoatsi; Seventh Respondent: Bulare Moiloa
- Court
- Court of Appeal
- Jurisdiction
- Lesotho
- Case Number
- C of A (CRI) 7 of 2010
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
- Outcome
- Appeal and cross-appeals allowed in part and dismissed in part. Some convictions and sentences set aside, others varied or confirmed.
- Legal Topics
- Common Purpose, Robbery, Murder, Malicious Injury to Property, Sentencing, Accomplice Evidence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
The Crown
Appellant
Raselebelimaboe
First Respondent
Antipase Selomo
Second Respondent
Thapelo Ntaopane
Third Respondent
Malefane Thamae
Fourth Respondent
Mochema Mochema
Fifth Respondent
Monyane Mokoatsi
Sixth Respondent
Bulare Moiloa
Seventh Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the convictions for murder, robbery, and related offences were supported by evidence
- 2 Whether the sentences imposed were appropriate given the circumstances
- 3 Application of the doctrine of common purpose
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the doctrine of common purpose did not support the murder convictions due to insufficient evidence linking the accused to the killing after the police had capitulated. Robbery convictions were upheld where evidence showed the accused's active participation or complicity. The court held that the trial judge erred by imposing uniform sentences without regard to individual blameworthiness, warranting both increases and reductions in sentences depending on the accused's role.
Court Disposition
Appeal and cross-appeals allowed in part and dismissed in part. Some convictions and sentences set aside, others varied or confirmed.
Orders
- Convictions and sentences for murder (count 1) against accused 3, 7, and 8 set aside.
- Conviction and sentence for count 3 against accused 3 set aside.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
IN THE COUR T OF AP PE AL OF LE S OTH O C OF A (CRI) NO. 7 OF 2 0 1 0 In t h e m a t ter b etween : THE CR OWN AP PE LLANT F IR S T R E S PONDE NT SE COND R E S P ONDE NT THIR D R E S P ONDE NT F OUR TH R E S P ONDE NT F IF TH R E S PONDE NT SIXTH R E S P ONDE NT SE VE NTH R E S P ONDE NT a n d R ASE LE BE LI MABOE E ANTIPASE SE LOMO THAPE LO NTAOPANE MALE F ANE THAMAE MOCHE MA MOCHE MA MONYANE MOKOATS I BULAR E MOILOA COR AM: S COTT, J A HOWIE , J A FARLAM, J A HE ARD: 1 2 APRIL 2 0 1 2 DE LIVE RE D: 2 7 APRIL 2 0 1 2 S UMMAR Y Cr im in a l la w – com m on p u r p os e in r ela t ion t o a s er ies of offen ces – a d equ a cy of s en t en ces – u n u s u a l cir cu m s t a n ces in t h e wa k e of m ilit a r y in cu r s ion in t o Les ot h o. J UDGME NT HOWIE , J A [1 ] On 2 3 Sep t em b er 1 9 9 8 , h a vin g es ca p ed fr om h os tilities a t Ma k oa n ya n e Milit a r y Ba r r a ck s in Ma s er u in volvin g S ADC tr oop s a n d t h e Les ot h o Defen ce For ce (LDF), a gr ou p of a r m ed m en m a in ly com p r is in g LDF s old ier s com m itt ed a s er ies of a cts a s a r es u lt of wh ich t h e r es p on d en t s (a lleged ly m em b er s of t h e gr ou p a t va r iou s tim es ) wer e ch a r ged in t h e High Cou r t b efor e Nom n gcon go J a n d a s s es s or s on m u ltip le cou n ts . Th e tr ia l b ega n in Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 a n d con clu d ed in J u n e 2 0 1 0 . [2 ] Th e r es p on d en ts wer e a ll con vict ed on two or m or e cou n t s r a n gin g fr om m u r d er a n d r ob b er y to m a liciou s in ju r y t o p r op er ty. Th e h ea vies t s en ten ce im p os ed on a n y of t h em wa s five yea r s im p r is on m en t a n d t h e ligh tes t , 4 yea r s . Th e s en ten ces im p os ed on ea ch wer e or d er ed t o r u n con cu r r en tly. [3 ] Th e Cr own a p p ea led a ga in s t t h e s en ten ces , con t en d in g t h a t t h ey wer e u n d u ly len ien t. Th e a p p ea l evok ed cr os s - a p p ea ls b y t h e r es p on d en t s a ga in s t t h eir con viction s . [4 ] Wit h t h e a id of a com m a n d eer ed Toyot a va n t h e gr ou p p r oceed ed to Ma feten g p olice s ta tion . Th eir a im , a lleged ly, wa s to ob ta in a r m s a n d a m m u n ition t h er e wit h wh ich t h ey wou ld r et u r n to t h e Ba r r a c k s a n d join t h e LDF effor ts a ga in s t t h e SADC in cu r s ion . As it h a p p en ed , d es p it e t h eir h a vin g s u cceed ed in ob t a in in g p olice fir ea r m s a n d a m m u n ition t h ey d id n ot r et u r n t o t h e b a t tle a r en a . In t h e cou r s e of wh a t wa s a n even t -filled d a y t h eir p r ocla im ed fla m e of b elliger en ce in d u e cou r s e flu tt er ed a n d even t u a lly d ied . [5 ] To ob ta in t h e a r m s a n d a m m u n ition t h e p la n wa s t o d ecla r e t h eir ob ject a n d s ecu r e th e wea p on s p ea cefu lly if p os s ib le. If t h er e wa s r es is t a n ce or r eta lia tion t h ey wou ld u s e for ce. Fa ced wit h t h e t h r ea t p os ed b y t h e a r m ed gr ou p a n d t h eir in s is ten t d em a n d t h e p olice ca p itu la t ed a n d op en ed t h eir a r m ou r y. In t h e cou r s e of t h e t a k in g of p olice a r m s a n d a m m u n ition a wom a n m em b er of t h e p olice con tin gen t wa s fa t a lly s h ot b y on e of t h e gr ou p . Th is r es u lted in a ch a r ge of m u r d er (cou n t 1 ). Th e ta k in g of t h e a r m s a n d a m m u n ition wa s th e s u b ject of a ch a r ge of r ob b er y (cou n t 2 ). Th e fir ea r m s s eized wer e r ifles a n d p is tols . Th e r ifles in clu d ed a n AK-4 7 , two M6 5 ’s a n d a n d LMG. [6 ] Fr om t h e p olice s t a tion a r m ed m em b er s of t h e gr ou p d r ove t o t h e Ma feten g Hos p it a l a n d s u b s equ en tly t h e Ma feten g Hotel. At t h e h os p it a l t h ey d em a n d ed a n d t ook m ed ica l s u p p lies a n d a t t h e h ot el, h a vin g d em a n d ed food a n d d r in k , t h ey took , a n d wer e given , a va r iety of d r in k s a n d food . Th es e even t s r es u lt ed in ch a r ges of r ob b er y of t h e h os p ita l s ta ff (cou n t 3 ) a n d r ob b er y of t h e h ot el p er s on n el (cou n t 4 ). [7 ] In t h e cou r s e of t h e even t s r efer r ed to t h u s fa r m em b er s of t h e gr ou p a ls o s h ot a n d d a m a ged fou r p u b lic telep h on es a n d telep h on e b oot h s . Th is led t o a ch a r ge of m a liciou s in ju r y t o p r op er ty (cou n t 5 ). [8 ] Th e d a y’s m a in even ts t er m in a ted in t h e ta k in g of t h r ee Toyot a Hilu x veh icles , on e a t Mots ek u oa a n d two a t t h e Ma t elile r oa d ca m p of t h e Roa d s Im p r ove m en t Un it (RIU). Th e la t t er in cid en t a ls o in clu d ed t h e t a k in g of p etr ol a n d d ies el fu el. Th e con s equ en ce wa s t h e p r efer r in g of two m or e r ob b er y ch a r ges (cou n ts 7 a n d 8 ). [9 ] Th e r es p on d en ts wer e lega lly r ep r es en ted on tr ia l a n d on a p p ea l. Ha vin g p lea d ed n ot gu ilty t o a ll t h e offen ces la id to t h eir ch a r ge t h ey p r offer ed evid en ce a n d a r gu m en ts wh ich r a n ged in d egr ees of u n a ccep ta b ility fr om t h e u n b elieva b le t o t h e fr a n k ly a b s u r d . In t h e r es p ects in wh ich t h e tr ia l cou r t exp r es s ly or im p licitly fou n d a ga in s t t h em on is s u es of cr ed ib ility t h a t is n ot in t h e lea s t s u r p r is in g. Th e p r ed om in a n t is s u es on a p p ea l t h er efor e con cer n t h e s tr en gt h of t h e evid en ce con n ectin g a r es p on d en t to a p a r ticu la r a lleged offen ce. [1 0 ] It is a p p r op r ia te to con s id er t h e con victio n s b efor e d ea lin g wit h t h e Cr own ’s a p p ea l. For con ven ien ce t h e r es p on d en t s will b e r efer r ed t o a s t h e a ccu s ed a n d a ccor d in g t o t h eir n u m b er in g in t h e cou r t b elow. [1 1 ] Th e evid en ce on cou n t 1 , a ccor d in g t o t h e Cr own ’s a r gu m en t , s h owed t h a t t h e d ecea s ed wa s s h ot b eca u s e s h e p os ed a n a p p a r en t t h r ea t a n d t h a t t h is fell wit h in t h e s cop e of t h e p la n to u s e for ce if t h e p olice r es is ted . Relia n ce wa s a ls o p la ced on th e evid en ce of S u p er in ten d en t Ma k a lia n a t h a t h e wa s t old if h e d id n ot co-op er a t e h e a n d ot h er officer s wou ld b e k illed . [1 2 ] Th e tr ia l cou r t ’s r ea s on s for con victin g on t h is cou n t wer e t h a t p olice r es is t a n ce wa s for es een a n d wou ld b e m et wit h for ce. Beca u s e t h e d ecea s ed wa s p er ceived a s a t h r ea t s h e wa s s h ot . Her s h ootin g t h er efor e wa s en com p a s s ed b y t h e com m on p u r p os e, in te r a lia , t o m u r d er . [1 3 ] Th er e is n ot h in g b u t in a d m is s ib le h ea r s a y evid en ce a s to wh o s h ot t h e d ecea s ed s o t h a t on e ca n n ot d eter m in e wh y s h e wa s s h ot . Wh a t is clea r is th a t s h e wa s s h ot a fter t h e p olice h a d ca p it u la ted a n d op en ed t h e a r m ou r y. It wa s n ot s h own to b e p a r t of t h e gr ou p ’s com m on p u r p os e t o s h oot a n yb od y if its ob jective h a d a lr ea d y b een a tt a in ed , a s it in d eed it h a d . It is a ls o clea r t h a t t h e d ecea s ed wa s n ot s h ot b eca u s e s h e wa s tr yin g t o p r even t t h e gr ou p ’s d ep a r t u r e. Th er e is t h er efor e in s u fficien t evid en ce, even if t h e in d ivid u a l p er p etr a t or in ten d ed to k ill, t o lin k a n y r es p on d en t t o h er k illin g b y wa y of t h e d octr in e of com m on p u r p os e. Th e con viction s a n d s en ten ces of a ccu s ed 3 , 7 a n d 8 on cou n t 1 m u s t t h er efor e b e s et a s id e. [1 4 ] Th e ta k in g of t h e p olice a r m s a n d a m m u n ition wa s effected a t gu n p oin t a n d a ccom p a n ied b y t h e t h r ea t to k ill if t h er e wa s r es is t a n ce. Th er e is n o gr ou n d for t h in k in g t h a t t h e gr ou p in ten d ed even tu a lly t o r etu r n a n y of t h es e a r ticles . No cr ed ib le evid en ce es ta b lis h ed or even h in ted a t t h a t in ten tion . On t h e evid en ce it is n ot a r ea s on a b le p os s ib ility. On t h e con tr a r y, a n d on t h e a s s u m p tion t h a t a t s om e in itia l s ta ge of t h eir es ca p a d e t h e gr ou p d id in t en d to r es u m e t h e figh t a ga in s t t h e SADC for ces , t h ey cou ld a t m os t h a ve for es een t h a t t h is wea p on r y wou ld b e a d d ed to t h e s t ock s of t h e LDF to u s e in com b a t . In t h a t even t t h e a m m u n ition wou ld b e con s u m ed . As for t h e fir ea r m s , t h ey wou ld b e u s ed in b a t tle for a s lon g a s t h ey fu n ction ed . If t h ey cea s ed fu n ction in g t h ey wou ld p r ob a b ly h a ve b een ca s t a s id e or wou ld h a ve fa llen t o t h e en em y if t h eir b ea r er s s u ccu m b ed . At b es t for t h e d efen ce t h er e wa s , b y in fer en ce, in d iffer en ce on t h e p a r t of t h e a ccu s ed a s t o t h e even tu a l fa te of t h eir s p oils . Th e elem en ts of r ob b er y wer e t h u s es ta b lis h ed a s r ega r d s cou n t 2 . [1 5 ] Th os e con victed on t h is cou n t wer e a ccu s ed 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 a n d 8 . [1 6 ] Accu s ed 1 wa s a m em b er of t h e Ma feten g p olice. He ten d er ed t h e exp la n a tion t h a t h is in s tr u m en ta lity in a id in g t h e gr ou p wa s in d u ced b y fea r for h is life. His exp la n a tion for d ep a r tin g wit h t h e gr ou p wa s t h a t t h ey p r ovid ed t h e m ea n s b y wh ich h e cou ld es ca p e t h e a tt a ck wh ich h e for es a w wou ld b e la u n ch ed a ga in s t t h e p olice s t a tion b y h ooliga n s . Cr own evid en ce s h owed h im t o h a ve b een a n a ctive a n d willin g s u p p or ter of t h e gr ou p a s d oes t h e evid en ce a s t o la ter even ts . Th e followin g d a y h e wa s s een in p os s es s ion of a n LMG r ifle. His evid en ce wa s n ot r ea s on a b ly p os s ib ly tr u e. He wa s cor r ectly con vict ed on cou n t 2 . [1 7 ] Accu s ed 2 wa s n ot or igin a lly on e of t h e gr ou p . A m em b er of t h e LDF, h e h a d fled t h e figh tin g in Ma s er u a n d h a d com e t o Ma feten g p olice s ta tion t o vis it a r ela tive. On a r r iva l h e a p p a r en tly cu t a d r a b a n d p a t h etic figu r e. On ce t h e gr ou p a r r ived , h owever , h is a t tit u d e ch a n ged . Th e Cr own evid en ce, cor r ectly p r efer r ed t o h is , s h owed h im t o h a ve b ecom e a n a ctive m em b er of t h e gr ou p . In d eed , on t h eir d ep a r t u r e fr om t h e p olice s t a tion h e wa s in p os s es s ion of a p olice AK-4 7 . By in fer en ce it wa s t h e s a m e wea p on h e wa s s een in p os s es s ion of t h r ee d a ys la ter . He, too, wa s cor r ectly con victed on cou n t 2 . [1 8 ] Accu s ed 3 wa s n ot s h own to h a ve com m it ted a n y a ct p er p etr a ted in in ten tion a l fu r t h er a n ce of t h e com m on p u r p os e in r ela tion t o t h is cou n t . He wa s p r es en t a t t h e p olice s ta tion p r em is es b u t s a id h e d id n ot p r oceed wit h t h e gr ou p t o t h e h os p ita l a n d h ot el. He a d m itt ed r ejoin in g t h e gr ou p on t h eir wa y b a ck to Ma s er u a n d s a id t h a t t h eir tr a n s p or t wa s a ll t h a t wa s a va ila b le t o h im . Th e h igh p oin t of t h e Cr own ca s e is t h e evid en ce t h a t for ce wou ld b e u s ed to get a r m s if n eces s a r y a n d t h e evid en ce of Pr iva te Selek e wh o s a id a ccu s ed 3 wa s in p os s es s ion of t wo fir ea r m s a t t h e p olice s ta tion . It wa s p u t to h im in cr os s -exa m in a tion t h a t t h ey wer e a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 ’s fir ea r m s . He s a id h e cou ld n ot d en y t h a t. As it wa s t h e Cr own ’s ca s e t h a t a ccu s ed 7 d id in d eed lea ve h is fir ea r m ou ts id e t h e p olice p r em is es t h is wou ld len d cr ed en ce to t h e d e fen ce of a ccu s ed 3 . Th e tr ia l cou r t m a d e n o exp r es s cr ed ib ility fin d in gs a d ver s e to h im b u t h is evid en ce t h a t th e p la n d id n ot in clu d e t h e u s e of for ce wa s , b y clea r im p lica tion , r eject ed . However , h is evid en ce t h a t a fter t h e s h ootin g h e took n o fu r t h er p a r t in t h e r eleva n t even ts wa s n ot d ea lt wit h b y t h e tr ia l cou r t . It m a y r ea s on a b ly p os s ib ly b e tr u e t h a t h e wit h d r ew fr om t h e com m on p u r p os e a s a r es u lt of t h a t in cid en t . Never t h eles s , t h e r ob b er y a t t h e p olice s ta tion wa s a ll b u t com p lete b efor e t h e s h ootin g a n d h e wa s t h er efor e cu lp a b ly com p licit in t h e r ob b er y u p t o t h a t s ta ge. Th e ca s e a ga in s t a ccu s ed 3 on t h is cou n t wa s t h er efor e p r oved . His con viction a n d s en t en ce on cou n t 2 m u s t s ta n d . [1 9 ] Th e d efen ce of a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 on t h is cou n t wa s t h a t t h e a r m s a n d a m m u n ition wer e given fr eely a n d volu n t a r ily. Th ey p er s is ted wit h t h is r id icu lou s s tor y on a p p ea l. It m u s t b e r eject ed . Th eir con viction s on cou n t 2 a r e u n a s s a ila b le. [2 0 ] Cou n t 3 con cer n s t h e even ts a t t h e h os p ita l. Accu s ed 3 wa s con vict ed on t h is cou n t b u t t h e s in gle evid en ce of h is p r es en ce t h er e wa s con t r a d icted b y h is evid en ce t h a t h e h a d b y t h en wit h d r a wn fr om t h e gr ou p ’s a ctivities . In t h e a b s en ce of r ejection b y t h e tr ia l cou r t of t h is evid en ce a fter p r op er con s id er a tion t h e ca s e a ga in s t h im on t h is cou n t wa s n ot p r oved . (Des p it e h is con viction h e wa s n ot in fa ct s en t en ced for t h is offen ce.) His con viction on cou n t 3 m u s t b e s et a s id e. [2 1 ] Th e Cr own evid en ce p r oved con clu s ively t h a t r ob b er y wa s com m itt ed a t t h e h os p it a l a n d t h a t a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 took lea d in g r oles in its com m is s ion . Th eir d efen ce t h a t t h e m ed ica l s u p p lies wer e fr eely h a n d ed over is , a s a lr ea d y m en tion ed , n ot cr ed ib le. Accu s ed 1 a n d 2 d id n ot en ter t h e b u ild in g b u t wer e p a r t of t h e gr ou p t h a t wen t t h er e. Th e on ly r ea s on a b le in fer en ce is t h a t t h ey k n ew of t h e in ten tion to r ob a n d con tin u ed t h eir a s s ocia tion wit h t h e gr ou p wit h t h e in t en tion t h a t t h e offen ce b e com m itt ed . Accu s ed 1 , 2 , 7 a n d 8 wer e t h er efor e cor r ectly con victed on t h is cou n t. [2 2 ] E s s en tia lly t h e s a m e con s id er a tion s p er t a in t o t h e even ts a t t h e h ot el s a ve t h a t a ccu s ed 1 a n d 2 wer e n ot p u t on t h eir d efen ce on cou n t 4 . Th eir con viction wa s t h u s in con flict wit h t h e lea r n ed J u d ge’s r u lin g a t th e en d of t h e p r os ecu tion ca s e. Ver y p r op er ly, cou n s el for t h e Cr own con ced ed t h a t , in t h es e cir cu m s ta n ces , t h eir con viction s s h ou ld n ot b e u p h eld . I a gr ee. Th er e is n o b a s is on wh ich to d ou b t t h e cor r ect n es s of t h e con viction s of a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 . [2 3 ] Th er e is s u b s t a n ce in t h e s u b m is s ion b y cou n s el for t h e Cr own t h a t t h e evid en ce a s t o t h e even ts a t t h e h otel, p a r ticu la r ly t h e t a k in g of liqu or a n d t h e cyn ica l r em a r k t h a t t h e h ot el cou ld look t o t h e Pr im e Min is t er for p a ym en t , lea d s s tr on gly to t h e in fer en ce t h a t t h e gr ou p ’s m is s ion b y t h is s t a ge n o lon ger h a d a m ilita r y m otive, if in d eed it ever d id . [2 4 ] Th e s h ootin g of t h e telep h on e b oot h s wh ich followed s er ves to s tr en gt h en t h a t in fer en ce. An y s u gges tion t h a t t h e S ADC op er a tion m igh t in t h e s ligh t es t h a ve b een h a m p er ed b y t h es e a cts of va n d a lis m wou ld b e d ivor ced fr om r ea lity. Accu s ed 7 wa s clea r ly p r oved gu ilty on cou n t 5 . [2 5 ] Th e s u b s equ en t ta k in g of t h e veh icles occu r r ed a fter t h e gr ou p h a d m et a la r ge n u m b er of ot h er LDF m em b er s a t Mots ek u oa in clu d in g a ccu s ed 5 a n d 6 . Th e ot h er s s a id t h ey wer e look in g in va in for p etr ol. Wh a t t h eir d es tin a tion wa s , is u n cer t a in . However , t h e h ot el food wa s u n loa d ed a n d t h os e p r es en t p a r t ook of it. It wa s t h en t h a t t h e RIU Toyota Hilu x, t h e s u b ject of cou n t 7 ca m e on t h e s cen e. Accu s ed 6 s t op p ed it a n d s p ok e to t h e occu p a n ts a fter wh ich t h ey a ligh ted . Accu s ed 2 a n d 5 got in , a ccu s ed 2 b ein g t h e d r iver . Th ey p r oceed ed fr om t h er e t o Ma telile wh er e t h e for m er occu p a n t s of t h e va n s a id t h er e wa s p etr ol t o b e h a d . All t h e ot h er s old ier s t h a t wer e a t Mots ek u oa followed in con voy. At t h e RIU ca m p a t Ma telile t h e a r m ed s old ier s fr igh ten ed t h e wor k er s t h er e in t o s u b m is s ion . Th e in tr u d er s filled t h eir veh icles wit h p etr ol a n d d ies el a n d d em a n d ed m or e veh icles . Th ey even tu a lly s eized two. Fr om t h is p oin t t h e va r iou s veh icles , in s om e of wh ich t h e va r iou s a ccu s ed wh o wer e p r es en t t h er e wer e tr a vellin g, d is p er s ed . Th er e is n o evid en ce t h a t a n y of t h es e p eop le, in clu d in g a n y a ccu s ed , m a d e for t h e s cen e of t h e figh tin g in Ma s er u or in t en d ed t o d o s o. Th ey a p p ea r t o h a ve a ll gon e t h eir s ep a r a t e wa ys . Th e in fer en ce is com p ellin g t h a t a ll con cer n ed wer e in d iffer en t wh et h er t h e veh icles ’ own er s ever r ecover ed t h em . [2 6 ] Accu s ed 5 d id n ot tes tify. Accu s ed 2 a s a lr ea d y m en tion ed wa s a willin g a n d a ctive p a r ticip a n t in t h e in itia l gr ou p a n d n o les s a ctive in t h e even ts a t Mot s ek u oa a n d Ma telile. Accu s ed 6 t ook u p t h e r efr a in of a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 t h a t t h e veh icles a n d fu el wer e h a n d ed over fr eely a n d volu n t a r ily. Th a t d efen ce is n o les s wor t h y of r ejection in h is ca s e t h a n in t h eir s . It follows t h a t a ccu s ed 2 , 5 a n d 6 wer e cor r ectly con victed on cou n t s 7 a n d 8 . [2 7 ] It r em a in s , a s fa r a s t h e con viction s a r e con cer n ed , t o s a y t h a t cou n s el for t h e a ccu s ed b efor e u s s tr es s ed t h e tr ia l cou r t’s om is s ion t o wa r n its elf of t h e r is k s in h er en t in con victin g on t h e a ccom p lice evid en ce w h ich p r ovid ed t h e m a in s ta y of t h e p r os ecu tion ca s e. It is s ettled la w t h a t s u ch r is k s a r e a d equ a tely s a fegu a r d ed a ga in s t if t h er e is cor r ob or a tion im p lica tin g th e a ccu s ed or b y t h e con s id er a tion t h a t t h e m er its of t h e Cr own evid en ce a n d t h e d em er its of t h e a ccu s ed ’s evid en ce a r e b eyon d qu es tion . Bot h for m s of s a fegu a r d a r e p r es en t in t h is ca s e a n d , in a d d ition , a ccu s ed 5 d id n ot tes tify. [2 8 ] To s u m u p t h e ou t com e of t h e cr os s -a p p ea ls on con viction : Cou n t 1 : Th e cr os s -a p p ea l of a ccu s ed 3 , 7 a n d 8 s u cceed s . Cou n t 3 : Th e cr os s -a p p ea l of a ccu s ed 3 s u cceed s . Cou n t 4 : Th e cr os s -a p p ea ls of a ccu s ed 1 a n d 2 s u cceed . Sa ve a s a b ove, t h e cr os s -a p p ea ls fa il. [2 9 ] Tu r n in g t o t h e Cr own ’s a p p ea l a n d t h e m a t ter of s en t en ce, t h e tr ia l J u d ge b or e in m in d t h e tr a u m a tizin g effect of t h e even ts a t t h e Ba r r a ck s wh ich t h e a ccu s ed , s a ve for a ccu s ed 1 , h a d ea r lier exp er ien ced . He fou n d , h owever , t h a t t h is cou ld n ot ju s tify wh a t t h ey d id a ft er wa r d s . As a ga in s t t h a t, t h e J u d ge con s id er ed t h a t t h e d ela y in b r in gin g t h e m a t ter t o fin a lity m ilit a t ed a ga in s t t h e im p os ition of t h e len gt h y im p r is on m en t s en t en ces for t h e im p os ition of wh ich t h e p r os ecu tion h a d con t en d ed . [3 0 ] Befor e t h is Cou r t, Cr own cou n s el a r gu ed t h a t t h e effective s en ten ces im p os ed wer e in a d equ a te b ea r in g in m in d t h a t a p olice s ta tion wa s d ep let ed of wea p on s in a tim e of t u r m oil wh en t h er e wa s n eed for la w a n d or d er ; t h a t t h e a ccu s ed ’s effor t s h a d n ot h in g t o d o with r ep ellin g in va d er s ; t h a t t h e a ccu s ed , m em b er s of t h e p olice or d efen ce for ces , wer e m ea n t t o u p h old la w a n d or d er , n ot flou t it ; t h a t t h e a t titu d e t h ey d is p la yed a t t h e va r iou s s ites of cr im e evin ced a r r oga n ce a n d d is r ega r d for t h e in t er es ts of t h e r ob b er y victim s ; a n d t h a t n on e h a d d is p la yed a n y r em or s e. Mor eover , it con s tit u t ed a m is d ir ectio n to im p os e t h e s a m e effective s en ten ce on m os t of t h e a ccu s ed . [3 1 ] For t h e a ccu s ed it wa s s u b m itt ed t h a t n o in cr ea s e in s en t en ce wa s ca lled for . An d a ccu s ed 1 , 2 , 3 a n d 5 , wh o cr os s -a p p ea led a ga in s t t h eir s en ten ces , con ten d ed for a r ed u ction in s en ten ce. [3 2 ] It s eem s to m e th a t t h e tr ia l J u d ge’s im p os ition of t h e s a m e effective 4 yea r s s en t en ce on a ll b u t two of t h e a ccu s ed ir r es p ective of t h e n u m b er of cou n t s in volved con s titu ted a fa ilu r e p r op er ly to d iffer en tia t e b etween t h e va r yin g d egr ees of b la m ewor t h in es s of th e d iffer en t a ccu s ed . It wa s a m is d ir ected a p p r oa ch wh ich r en d er s t h is Cou r t a t la r ge to con s id er s en ten ce a fr es h in r es p ect of t h os e a p p ella n ts wh os e s en ten ces a r e lia b le t o a p p ea l or cr os s -a p p ea l. [3 3 ] Th e r eleva n t even t s h a p p en ed n ea r ly fou r t een yea r s a go. Accu s ed 2 , 3 a n d 8 wer e t h en 2 1 or you n ger a n d t h e r es t wer e in t h eir m id twen t ies . Th ey wou ld h a ve b een im p r es s ion a b le you n g m en , n o d ou b t a ctin g in t h e a fter m a t h of t h e a d r en a lin s u r ges t h ey wou ld h a ve exp er ien ced in t h e con fr on t a tion a t t h e Ba r r a ck s . It is n ot t h e Cr own ’s ca s e t h a t t h ey d es er ted b u t, a s a lr ea d y in d ica ted , it is u n lik ely th a t t h ey ever s er iou s ly con tem p la ted h ow t h ey wou ld h elp t h eir collea gu es u n d er s iege b y r et u r n in g wit h t h e r ela tively m ea gr e n u m b er of wea p on s t h ey h a d m a n a ged t o s ecu r e. Th eir es ca p a d e wa s ill-con s id er ed a n d t h eir a im s wer e fa n cifu l, p er h a p s a s b efit ted p eop le of t h eir a ge a n d t h e cir cu m s t a n ces in wh ich t h ey fou n d t h em s elves . [3 4 ] On t h e ot h er h a n d t h eir con d u ct wou ld h a ve in s tilled fea r in t h eir victim s a n d , a s a r gu ed for t h e Cr own , Les ot h o s ociety wa s en titled t o exp ect p r otection fr om it s s old ier s , n ot la wles s n es s . [3 5 ] Ta k in g t h e fa cts a n d cir cu m s ta n ces of t h e ca s e in t o a ccou n t t h e Cr own is ju s tified in a s k in g t h a t t h e s en ten ces of a ccu s ed 7 a n d 8 – wh o t ook clea r ly lea d in g r oles in t h e in itia l a n d m os t s er iou s offen ces in t h e s er ies – b e in cr ea s ed . To t h a t ext en t t h e a p p ea l s u cceed s . On t h e ot h er h a n d , a ccu s ed 2 , 3 a n d 5 a r e ju s tified in s u b m ittin g t h a t t h eir s u b s er vien t r oles b e r ecogn ized b y a r ed u ction in s en t en ce. To t h a t exten t t h eir cr os s -a p p ea ls on s en t en ce s u cceed . [3 6 ] Th e or d er of t h is Cou r t is a s follows , ta k in g t h e va r iou s r es p on d en t s in or d er : 1 . Th e fir s t r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 1 ) 1 .1 His cr os s -a p p ea l a ga in s t h is con viction on cou n t 4 is a llowed . His con viction a n d s en ten ce on t h a t cou n t a r e s et a s id e. 1 .2 Th e a p p ea l a ga in s t h is s en ten ces is d is m is s ed . 2 . Th e s econ d r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 2 ) 2 .1 His cr os s -a p p ea l a ga in s t h is con viction on cou n t 4 is a llowed . His con viction a n d s en ten ce on t h a t cou n t a r e s et a s id e. 2 .2 His cr os s -a p p ea l a ga in s t s en ten ce t h e Cr own ’s a p p ea l is a llowed a n d is d is m is s ed . His s en ten ces on cou n t s 2 , t o 3 yea r s 3 , 7 a n d 8 a r e r ed u ced im p r is on m en t on ea ch cou n t . Th e s en t en ces a r e t o r u n con cu r r en tly. 3 . Th e t h ir d r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 3 ) 3 .1 His cr os s -a p p ea l His con viction s on cou n t s 1 a n d 3 a r e s et a s id e a s is h is s en t en ce on cou n t 1 . a llowed . is 3 .2 Th e Cr own ’s a p p ea l is d is m is s ed . His s en t en ce on cou n t 2 is s et a s id e. In its s tea d is s u b s t itu ted a s en ten ce of two a n d a h a lf yea r s im p r is on m en t. 4 . Th e fou r t h r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 5 ) Th e a p p ea l is d is m is s ed . His cr os s -a p p ea l is a llowed . His s en ten ces on cou n ts 7 a n d 8 a r e s et a s id e. In t h eir s t ea d is s u b s tit u t ed a s en t en ce of (2 ½ ) yea r s t wo a n d a h a lf im p r is on m en t p er cou n t . Th e s en ten ces a r e to r u n con cu r r en tly. 5 . Th e fift h r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 6 ) Th e a p p ea l a n d cr os s -a p p ea l a r e d is m is s ed . 6 . Th e s ixt h r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 7 ) Th e a p p ea l is a llowed a n d h is cr os s -a p p ea l is a llowed in p a r t a n d d is m is s ed in p a r t. His con viction a n d s en ten ce on cou n t 1 a r e s et a s id e. His s en ten ce on cou n t 2 is s et a s id e. In its s t ea d is s u b s tit u t ed a s en te n ce of s even (7 ) yea r s Th e s en ten ces im p os ed on cou n t s 2 , 3 , 4 a n d 5 a r e t o r u n con cu r r en tly. im p r is on m en t . 7 . Th e s even t h r es p on d en t (a ccu s ed 8 ) Th e a p p ea l is a llowed a n d h is cr os s -a p p ea l is a llowed in p a r t a n d d is m is s ed in p a r t. His con viction a n d s en ten ce on cou n t 1 a r e s et a s id e. His s en ten ce on cou n t 2 is s e t a s id e. In its s t ea d is s u b s tit u ted a s en ten ce of five (5 ) yea r s Th e s en ten ces im p os ed on cou n t s 2 , 3 a n d 4 a r e to r u n con cu r r en tly. im p r is on m en t . I a gr ee: ____________________ C. T. H OWIE J US TICE OF APPE AL ____________________ D. G. S COTT J US TICE OF APPE AL I a gr ee: ____________________ I. G. F AR LAM J US TICE OF APPE AL Ad v. G. J . Lep p a n Ad v. Sen ek a n e For t h e S ta te : For fir s t a p p ella n t : For s econ d a p p ella n t : Mr . T. M. Ma iea n e For t h ir d a p p ella n t : Ad v. L. D. Mola p o For fou r t h a p p ella n t : Ad v. H. Na t h a n e For fift h , s ixt h a n d s even t h a p p ella n ts : Mr . P. T. Nt es o