Jirma Abduba v Republic [2017] KEHC 1828 (KLR)

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REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA

AT MERU

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 89 OF 2016

JIRMA ABDUBA………………………………………………APPELLANT

VERSUS

REPUBLIC…………………………………………………. RESPONDENT

(BEING AN APPEAL FROM THE SENTENCE OF O. WANYAGA RESIDENT MAGISTRATE AT MAUA DATED 3RD NOVEMBER, 2016 IN CRIMINAL CASE NO.13 OF 2016).

J U D G M E N T

The appellant was charged with the offence of attempted defilement contrary to Section 9(1),(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006.  The particulars of the offence are that the appellant, on the 29th March, 2016 at [particulars withheld] location, Garbatulla sub-county, Isiolo County intentionally attempted to cause his penis to penetrate the vagina of U.A.H, a child of 13years who is mentally challenged.

The trial court convicted the appellant and sentenced him to serve ten(10) years imprisonment.  The grounds of appeal are that:-

1. The  trial court erred by holding that the complainant was mentally challenged without a Doctor’s report.

2. The prosecution evidence, especially that of PW2 and PW3 was contradictory.

3. The evidence of PW1 as an intermediary was irregular.

4. The prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

5. The complainant’s age was not proved.

6. The trial court erred by disregarding the defence evidence.

Mr. Ogoti appeared for the appellant.  Counsel submit that the case was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.  The evidence is full of contradiction. The charge was that of attempted defilement.  The age and mental status of the complainant was not proved.  PW2 gave evidence as the intermediary.  Her evidence was irregular as there was no proof of the complainant’s mental capacity.  PW3 alleged that there was insertion of the genital organ yet the charge was that of attempt.  The complainant talked using signs without the help of a sign language interpreter.

Mr. Odhiambo conceded the appeal.  Counsel submitted that PW1 was alleged to be mentally challenged.  She testified in court.   There was a minor who was alleged to be the main witness.  He was not taken through Voire dire examination before he testified.  The way the intermediary was done was not proper.  Although the evidence alleged that there was defilement, the charge was that of attempted defilement.

This is a first appeal and the court has to evaluate the evidence afresh and make its own conclusion.  Five witnesses testified for the prosecution.  PW1 H.H.S is the complainant’s mother.  On 29/03/2016 she went to market to sell miraa.  At about 3. 00 p.m, her son, PW3 went to inform her that the appellant had raped PW2.  She went home and found that PW2 had been taken to hospital.  She went to check on her daughter.  She found sperms on her legs.  The matter was reported at the Sericho Police Station. The appellant was arrested and charged with the offence. It is her evidence that PW2 was 13 years old.

PW2,  the victim, testified through her mother and a Borana interpreter.  She stated that the appellant went to their home and talked to her.  He asked her to go to bed.  He removed her clothes and defiled her.  PW3 was also there.

PW3 H N was a class 4 pupil.  He was 14 years old.  On 29/03/2016 at about 3. 00 pm. He went home from school.  He found the house locked.  He peeped through the window and saw the appellant on top of PW2.  The appellant saw him, opened the door and left.  PW3 went to inform his mother.  He knew the appellant.

PW4 HASSAN MOHAMMED is a Clinical Officer.  He was based at Modogashe Sub-County Hospital.  He saw PW2 on 29/3/2016.  He noticed that PW2 was mentally challenged.  He examined her.  She had undergone female genital mutilation(FGM).  There were no bruises.  She had whitish discharge but no blood.  Urine analysis showed presence of bacteria cells.  There was no evidence of defilement.  She was treated.,

PW5 PC GEOFREY KANDIE was attached at the Sericho Police Station.  On 29/03/2016 the case was reported at 3. 00 p.m.  Together with the other officers, he proceeded to the scene.  They found the appellant had been arrested by members of the public.  They re-arrested him. They went to a local dispensary and found that PW2 had been examined.  PW2 was referred to Laidera District Hospital.  Tests were conducted at the hospital on both PW2 and the appellant.  He investigated the case and had him charged with the offence of attempted defilement.

In his sworn defence, the appellant denied committing the offence.  He testified that he was a teacher.  On 29/03/2016 at 4. 00 p.m he was at his house relaxing when a group of women went to his house.  Shortly Police Officers arrested him.  He was taken to Modogashe District Hospital where some tests were done on him and PW2.  He was then charged with the offence.  He teaches at a private school.

The issue for consideration is whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.  Counsel for the appellant contends that the mental status of PW2 was not proved through a Doctor’s report.  It is the evidence of PW3, the Clinical Officer that he observed that PW2 was mentally challenged.

The record of the trial court notes that PW2 talked with much difficulty but managed to answer the questions put to her during cross-examination. The charge sheet indicate that PW2 was mentally challenged.  According to PW1, the complainant does not go to school.  She does not talk a lot and is mentally challenged.  She normally uses Borana language when communicating with PW2.

From the evidence on record, I do find that PW2 was mentally challenged.  PW3 made that observation after examining Pw2.  PW3 is a Clinical Officer whose mental assessment of PW2 is not based on a layman’s knowledge.  Apart from the evidence of PW3, the trial court made similar observation on the complainant’s mental assessment.  PW1 is the mother of PW2 and told the court that PW2 was mentally challenged.  The prosecution evidence sufficiently proved that PW2 was mentally challenged.  I do find that PW2 was mentally challenged.

The other issue involves the manner in which PW2 testified.  The Sexual Offences Act defines an intermediary at Section 2 as a person who is authorized by the court on account of his/her expertise or experience to give evidence on behalf of a vulnerable witness and may include a parent or relative.  The same section defines a vulnerable persons as a child, a person with mental disabilities or an elderly person.  I have found that PW2 was mentally challenged.  She was therefore a vulnerable witness who had to testify through the assistance of an intermediary who include a parent or relative.  PW1 acted as the intermediary.  She is PW2’s mother.  She was able to relay the communication from the prosecutor to the witness and give the answers to the court.  That is the essence of the role of an intermediary.  In the court proceedings, I see no reason to fault the manner in which PW2 testified.  PW1 gave her own evidence separately and then acted as the intermediary.  I do find that the trial court followed the correct procedure.

The next issues relates to the manner in which PW3’s evidence was taken.  It is clear as per the record of the trial court that no Voire dire was conducted.  PW3 testified that he was 14 years old.  The trial court ought to have examined PW3 through a Voire direprocedure before allowing him to testify under oath.

In the case of Loonkomok – V – Republic , Mombasa Criminal Appeal No.68/2015(C.A), one of the grounds of appeal was that the evidence of the complainant was irregularly received and admitted without subjecting it to Voire dire examination.  The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and stated as follows:-

“………it follows from a long line of decision that Voire dire examination on children of tender years must be conducted and that failure to do so does not per se vitiate the entire prosecution case….

The Court of Appeal in the above case further held that:-

“in appropriate cases where Voire dire is not conducted, but there is sufficient independent evidence to support the charge, the court may still be able to uphold the conviction”.

My view on this issue of Voire dire is that the prosecution evidence has to be analyzed in totality.  The absence of Voire dire examination on one witness, whether that witness is the complainant or not, cannot be fatal on the prosecution’s case.  The trial court has to examine the entire evidence as a whole.  Further, the fact that no Voire dire is conducted on a witness does not make the witness’s evidence any weaker.  A witness comes to court after being summoned by the prosecutor.  A statement is usually recorded at the police station.  If a child under 18 years testifies under oath, he will be cross-examined just like any other witness.  Indeed, it is highly probable that a minor will tender truthful evidence whether under oath or not as opposed to adults who testify under oath.  It is not unusual for adult witnesses to testify under oath but give false evidence.  At times the trial courts simply observe the physical appearance of the minor, witness and note that  the witness appears like an adult and the court sees no need to conduct Voire dire examination.

Apart from that, religious education is part of our school’s syllabus from Primary to Secondary level.  When it is clear that the witness is attending school and is above twelve years, it is highly possible that such a child would have undergone some form of  religious teachings and knows the meaning of taking oath or telling the truth.

From the circumstances of this case, I do find that the fact that PW3 did not undergo Voire dire examination is not fatal to the prosecution case.  The evidence has to be analyzed as a whole.

The other issue is whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.  The charge was that of attempted defilement.  PW1 testified that PW3 told her that PW2 had been raped.  PW2’s evidence is that she was defiled.  According to PW1, she saw sperms on PW2’s legs.  PW3 saw the appellant on top of PW2.  The appellant denied committing the offence. The P3 form indicate at the Section filled by the Police that PW2 reported a case of defilement.  PW4, HASSAN MOHAMMED, a Clinical Officer examined PW2. The evidence also shows that PW2 was referred to Modogashe District Hospital where further tests were conducted.  The medical examination by PW4 was done on the same day of the offence.  PW4 did not see any spermatozoa.  There were no bruises or lacerations on PW1’s genitalia.  According to PW4, there was no evidence of penetration. PW4 was infected with bacteria and that could be attributed to her mental status.  She was not taking good care of herself.

The evidence of PW2 and PW1 that there was defilement is disapproved by the medical evidence.  PW4 did not see any spermatozoa on the complainant.  The offence of “attempt” signifies that the accused did not fully implement his/her intention.  This is an incomplete act.  Either the offender would have been stopped or disrupted from completing the unlawful act or that he changed his mind before embarking on the prohibited act. The court has to evaluate the circumstances of the case and decide whether indeed the accused made the attempt.

The evidence on record from PW1, PW2 and PW3 is that the accused not only made the attempt but completed the offensive act.  PW2 informed the court that the appellant removed her clothes and inserted his penis into her vagina.

The incident occurred at 3. 00 p.m.  The appellant was arrested shortly thereafter.  Immediately after the incident, PW2 was taken to hospital for examination.  Further laboratory tests were conducted at Modogashe District Hospital.  Nothing unusual was found in PW2’s private parts.

PW4’s evidence is that there was no evidence of penetration.  Therefore there was no defilement as alleged by PW1, PW2 and PW3.  The evidence of the three witnesses raises doubt on the prosecution case. It is quite possible that no attempt to defile PW2 was made.

The investigation Officer visited the scene. He did not describe the house where the incident occurred to enable the court find out whether indeed PW3 could peep over the window and see what was happening.  I find that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.  The State conceded the appeal.  The appellant is entitled to the benefit of doubt.

In the end, I do find that the appeal is merited and is hereby allowed.  The appellant shall be set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.

DATED AT EMBU THIS DAY OF 2017.

S. J. CHITEMBWE

JUDGE

DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT MERU THIS 5TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2017.

A. MABEYA

JUDGE

IN PRESENCE OF:

……………………………… for Appellant

………………………….….... for Respondent.

……………………………..….Court Assistant