S v Leew and Another (602/2006) [2006] ZAFSHC 84 (6 July 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] ZAFSHC 84
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- WRIGHT, R, KRUGER, R
- Case number
- 602/2006
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- WRIGHT, R, KRUGER, R
- Case number
- 602/2006
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that the magistrate erred by imposing a heavier sentence on the first accused, who was only 17 years old at the time of the offence, without giving sufficient weight to his youth and the fact that the second accused played a leading role. Although the first accused had a previous conviction for robbery, the suspended sentence for that offence should be balanced against the mitigating factors. The court held that both accused should receive the same sentence, and accordingly set aside the sentence of the first accused and replaced it with two years' imprisonment, to be deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
Court disposition
The conviction of both accused is confirmed. The sentence of the second accused is confirmed. The sentence of the first accused is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
Orders
- The conviction of both accused is confirmed.
- The sentence of the second accused is confirmed.
- The sentence of the first accused is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
02
Material facts
Parties
Die Staat
ApplicantIsaac Jumba Leew
RespondentAnother
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Value of Stolen Goods: ZAR 2,965
- Value of Stolen DVD: ZAR 2,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review of Sentence
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence imposed on the first accused, a youth offender, was appropriate given his age and role in the offence.
- 02
Whether the magistrate correctly distinguished between the sentences of the two accused.
- 03
Whether the aggravating and mitigating factors were properly balanced in sentencing.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The State argued that both accused pleaded guilty to housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. The first accused was 17 years old and the second accused was 21 years old at the time of the offence. The State submitted that the magistrate imposed a heavier sentence on the first accused due to his previous conviction for robbery, but failed to adequately consider his youth and the fact that the second accused led the commission of the offence.
- Respondent
- The respondents contended that the value of the stolen items, particularly the DVD, was overstated. They argued that the first accused waited outside while the second accused entered the premises and took the items. The respondents submitted that the sentences should be equal, considering the mitigating factors and the leadership role of the second accused.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
S v Nkosi 2002 (1) SACR 135 (W)
Youthfulness is a significant mitigating factor in sentencing and should be given due weight.
- 02
S v Rabie 1975 (4) SA 855 (A)
The role played by each accused in the commission of the offence must be considered when determining sentence.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that the magistrate erred by imposing a heavier sentence on the first accused, who was only 17 years old at the time of the offence, without giving sufficient weight to his youth and the fact that the second accused played a leading role. Although the first accused had a previous conviction for robbery, the suspended sentence for that offence should be balanced against the mitigating factors. The court held that both accused should receive the same sentence, and accordingly set aside the sentence of the first accused and replaced it with two years' imprisonment, to be deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
Obiter and limits
- The court expressed doubt regarding the valuation of the stolen DVD, noting that such items usually cost significantly less than the amount stated.
- The importance of considering both aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing, especially for youth offenders, was reiterated.
Court disposition
The conviction of both accused is confirmed. The sentence of the second accused is confirmed. The sentence of the first accused is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
- The conviction of both accused is confirmed.
- The sentence of the second accused is confirmed.
- The sentence of the first accused is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 2 May 2006.
Source and reliance status
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
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Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
Judgment
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(ORANJE VRYSTAATSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING)
Hersienings Nr: 602/2006
In die saak tussen:
DIE
STAAT
en
ISAAC
JUMBA LEEW AND ANOTHER
_____________
CORAM: WRIGHT, R et KRUGER, R
UITSPRAAK: WRIGHT, R
GELEWER OP: 6 JULIE 2006
[1] Die twee beskuldigdes is skuldig bevind aan huisbraak met die opset om te steel en diefstal en is soos volg gevonnis: Beskuldigde 1, drie jaar gevangenisstraf.
Beskuldigde 2, twee jaar gevangenisstraf.
Dit blyk dat hul albei skuldig gepleit het en pleitverduidelikings verskaf het. Daarvolgens het beskuldigde 2 na ân sekere huis gegaan en ân sleutel gehad wat die slot kon oopmaak. Volgens hom het beskuldigde 1 buite gewag en die mense dopgehou. Beskuldigde 2 het die deur oopgemaak en ân groot dra-sak geneem. Hulle het toe sekere artikels geneem. Dit sluit onder meer in ân Sangsung DVD waarvan die waarde as R2 000,00 aangedui is. Die beskuldigde het erken dat die waardes van die goed R2 965,00 beloop maar kom dit baie eienaardig voor dat so ân DVD R2 000,00 werd is terwyl die meeste van hierdie artikels gewoonlik ongeveer R500 kos.
[2] Beskuldigde 1 was 17 jaar oud ten tyde van die voorval terwyl beskuldigde 2 21 jaar oud is. Die landdros het onderskei tussen die vonnis van beide beskuldigdes en ân swaarder vonnis aan beskuldigde 1 opgelê. Ek meen dat die landdros daardeur nie voldoende gewig geheg het aan die besondere jeugdigheid van die eerste beskuldigde nie asook die feit dat beskuldigde 2 die leiding geneem het met die pleeg van die misdryf nie. ân Swaarder vonnis is aan beskuldigde 1 opgelê omdat hy ân vorige veroordeling van roof het, waarvoor hy op 19 Oktober 2005 twee jaar gevangenisstraf opgelê is wat vir 5 jaar opgeskort is. Hierdie oorweging moet opgeweeg word teen die voorafgaande twee strafversagtende faktore en meen ek dat dit eerder gepas sou gewees het om, in die lig daarvan, beide beskuldigdes dieselfde vonnis op te lê.
[3] Bygevolg word die skuldigbevindings bekragtig sowel as die vonnis van beskuldigde 2 maar word die vonnis van beskuldigde 1 ter syde gestel en vervang met die volgende:
2 (twee) jaar gevangenisstraf. Die vonnis moet geag word opgelê te gewees het op 2 Mei 2006.
______
G.F. WRIGHT, R
Ek stem saam.
_____
A. KRUGER, R
/em
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