Laporte v Seraphine (309 of 2005) [2006] SCSC 10 (11 May 2006)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SEYCHELLES         FERNAND LAPORTE                                        PLAINTIFF                   VERSUS       GERARD SERAPHINE                                      DEFENDANT                                                                                                   Civil Side No  309 of 2005 Mr A. Derjacques for the Plaintiff JUDGMENT Perera    J This is a delictual action in which the plaintiff avers that the defendant insulted him, threatened him and also trespassed on his property.      He also avers that the defendant made false and malicious accusations implying that he was having an affair with his wife.    He therefore claims Rs50,000 as moral damages and an order on the defendant to refrain from insulting, threatening and communicating with him. The defendant who was served with notice of action, defaulted appearance, and hence the case was heard exparte. The plaintiff is a 55 year old carpenter, who lives at the SACOS Flats at Anse Etoile.    The defendant is unemployed, and is living separated from his wife Agnes Seraphine.    According to the plaintiff, the defendant suspects that his wife visits him due to their friendship.    He testified regarding two incidents.    One, in June 2005, when the defendant came to his residence, parked his car on the driveway and abused   him.      He   locked   the   gate   behind   the   car   and   called   the   Police.     The statement he made to the Police was produced as exhibit P1. He further stated that the defendant on a subsequent occasion threw stones at his house, and again he came to his verandah and threatened him stating that his wife was with him. The plaintiff also testified regarding another incident that took place recently, and produced a copy of statement he made to the Police (P2).    He sated that the defendant came and abused him that day and he got down the Police.    When they arrived, the defendant went into hiding, but returned after they went and continued to abuse him    till 2.30 a.m.    The Police searched the house on his invitation and saw that the wife of the defendant was not in    the house.    The next day he found that tyres of his vehicle had been deflated. W. P. C.   Farida   Sabury,   testified   regarding   the   first   incident   in   June   2005. When she went to the plaintiff’s residence the defendant was present outside, and complained that his wife was inside the house.    He had a camera in his hand. However   only      she   and   L/C   Doudee,   entered   the   house,   but   they   did   not   find anyone there.    She then warned the defendant to desist from harassing the plaintiff. On a subsequent day, she went to the residence of the plaintiff once more, this time to   investigate   a   complaint   of   throwing   stones.      She   found   three   stones   in   the verandah, and a small dent on the plaintiff’s pick up. Lance Corporal Joycelin Doudee testified that he investigated a complaint made by    the plaintiff at the defendant was roaming round the house.    When he went there, the defendant was standing with a camera in hand.    He told the Police Officers that his wife was in the plaintiff’s house.    With the permission of the plaintiff, he and WPC Sabury entered    the house, but did not see anyone there. On a consideration  of the uncontradicted  evidence  of the plaintiff and his witnesses,   the   Court   is   satisfied   that   the   defendant   had   made   unsubstantiated accusations against the plaintiff, trespassed on his property and harassed him.    He is therefore liable in damages. On a consideration of all the circumstances of the case, I award a sum of Rs20,000  as  damages payable  by  the  defendant  to  the  plaintiff.    Order  is also hereby made restraining the defendant from insulting, threatening and approaching the plaintiff in future. The plaintiff will also be entitled to interest on the said amount, and costs of action calculated on the Magistrates'’Court scale of fees and costs. …………………….. A. R. PERERA JUDGE Dated this 12th day of May 2006