S v Louw (1192/3004) [2004] ZAFSHC 115 (2 December 2004)
The reviewing judge found that the original conditions attached to the suspended sentence were not clearly and correctly worded. After seeking clarification from the magistrate, it was conceded that the initial conditions were defective. The conviction for theft was confirmed, but the sentence was set aside and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2004] ZAFSHC 115
- Parties
- Applicant: The State; Respondent: Eric Louw
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Judgment Date
- 2 December 2004
- Case Number
- 1192/2004
- Procedural Posture
- Review Application / Review of Criminal Conviction and Sentence
- Outcome
- Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with new suspended sentence and payment conditions.
- Judges
- Lombard, Wright RR
- Legal Topics
- Theft, Suspended Sentence, Sentence Conditions, Review Procedure
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
The State
Applicant
Eric Louw
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Review of Criminal Conviction and Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the original suspended sentence conditions were clear and correct.
- 2 Whether the conviction for theft should be confirmed.
- 3 Whether the sentence should be substituted with properly worded conditions.
Ratio Decidendi
The reviewing judge found that the original conditions attached to the suspended sentence were not clearly and correctly worded. After seeking clarification from the magistrate, it was conceded that the initial conditions were defective. The conviction for theft was confirmed, but the sentence was set aside and replaced with a properly worded suspended sentence. The new sentence imposed nine months' imprisonment, suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft during the period of suspension and that he pays R7,700 in monthly instalments of R700 to the Clerk of the Court, with specific payment dates stipulated. The substituted sentence...
Court Disposition
Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with new suspended sentence and payment conditions.
Orders
- The conviction for theft is confirmed.
- The original sentence is set aside.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(ORANJE VRYSTAATSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING)
Hersiening Nr. : 1192/2004
In die hersiening van:
DIE STAAT
versus
ERIC LOUW
CORAM: LOMBARD et WRIGHT RR
UITSPRAAK: LOMBARD R
GELEWER OP: 2 DESEMBER 2004
Die beskuldigde is tereg aan diefstal skuldig bevind en as volg gevonnis:
âNege (9) maande gevangenisstraf opgeskort vir vier (4) jaar op voorwaarde dat beskuldigde nie weer skuldig bevind word aan diefstal of poging daar toe gepleeg binne tydperk van opskorting nie. Verder word beskuldigde beveel om R7 700-00 by die Klerk van die Hof, Petrusburg in te betaal teen R700 per maand. Eerste betaling van R700 voor of op 30/7/04 en daarna R700 aan die einde van daaropvolgende maande tot Junie 2005 wanneer die laaste betaling van R700 gemaak sal word. Vir oorbetaling aan klaagster vir skade
gely.â
Ek het meerdere navrae aan die landdros aangaande die bewoording van die opskortende voorwaardes gerig en dit word nou toegegee dat die aanvanklike voorwaardes nie duidelik en korrek bewoord was nie. In die omstandighede word die skuldigbevinding bekragtig, maar die vonnis word deurgehaal en met die volgende vervang:
âNege (9) maande gevangenisstraf opgeskort vir vier (4) jaar op die volgende voorwaardes (a) dat die beskuldigde nie weer skuldig bevind word aan diefstal of poging daartoe gepleeg binne tydperk van opskorting nie (b) dat genoemde beskuldigde R7,700-00 (Sewe Duisend Sewe Honderd Rand) in paaiemente by die Klerk van die Hof inbetaal teen R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) per maand. Die eerste betaling moet geskied voor of op die 10de Augustus 2004 en daarna R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) op die 10de van elke maand tot op 10 Junie 2005 wanneer die laaste betaling van R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) gemaak moet word.â
Die vonnis sal geag word op 8 Julie 2004 opgelê te gewees het. Ek wil net volledigheidshalwe verduidelik dat hierdie hersiening vir een of ander rede iewers verlore geraak het en daarom het hierdie uitspraak eers op so ân laat stadium die lig gesien.
_______________
D.J. LOMBARD, R
Ek stem saam.
___________
G.F. WRIGHT
/sp