These offences were committed at hotels and restaurants in Pacific Harbour and at duty free and other shops at Suva, Sigatoka and Nadi. The Appellant obtained a wide variety of goods including liquor, jewellery, clothing, perfume, watches, video camera, video player, stereo system, radio and camera. He also obtained several thousand dollars in cash. This must be regarded as serious fraud offending. The offences were deliberately committed on 14 separate occasions and goods of a substantial value were obtained.
Forgery is regarded seriously by the legislation.
The maximum penalty for these forgery offences committed by the Appellant is life imprisonment. Obtaining goods with the use of a forged document carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. The larceny charge has a maximum of 5 years imprisonment. He noted that the Appellant had previous convictions and said that a deterrent sentence was called for. Adopting the 'totality' approach he considered that a total sentence of 4 years imprisonment was appropriate.