R vs Serret (CA 03.2014) [2014] SCSC 279 (24 July 2014)

R vs Serret (CA 03.2014) [2014] SCSC 279 (24 July 2014)

A 'kiosk' as described in the facts constitutes a 'building' under Section 291(a) of the Penal Code Act; the magistrate exceeded his sentencing jurisdiction by imposing a 10-year sentence, which must be substituted with the maximum 8 years allowed by law.

Citation
[2014] SCSC 279
Parties
Appellant: Alex Serret; Respondent: The Republic
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Seychelles
Judgment Date
24 July 2014
Case Number
CA 03.2014
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal partially allowed
Legal Topics
Breaking and Entering, Sentencing Jurisdiction, Plea of Guilty, Interpretation of 'building', Minimum Mandatory Sentence
Source Language
English

Case Brief

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Parties

Alex Serret

Appellant

The Republic

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether a 'kiosk' constitutes a 'building' under Section 291(a) of the Penal Code Act
  2. 2 Whether the appellant appreciated the nature of the charge and plea
  3. 3 Whether the sentence imposed exceeded the magistrate's jurisdiction

Ratio Decidendi

A 'kiosk' as described in the facts constitutes a 'building' under Section 291(a) of the Penal Code Act; the magistrate exceeded his sentencing jurisdiction by imposing a 10-year sentence, which must be substituted with the maximum 8 years allowed by law.

Court Disposition

appeal partially allowed

Orders

  • The sentence of 10 years imprisonment is quashed and substituted with a sentence of 8 years imprisonment.
  • All other grounds of appeal are dismissed.