Case Metadata |
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| Case Number: | Criminal Appeal 163 of 1982 |
|---|---|
| Parties: | Wepukhulu v Republic |
| Date Delivered: | 05 Nov 1982 |
| Case Class: | Criminal |
| Court: | High Court at Nakuru |
| Case Action: | Judgment |
| Judge(s): | William Mbaya |
| Citation: | Wepukhulu v Republic[1982] eKLR |
| Court Division: | Criminal |
| Parties Profile: | Individual v Government |
| County: | Nakuru |
| Case Summary: | Criminal Law - charge - evidence that appellant took money and had sex with complaint under threat of death - offences of stealing and indecent assault of female - whether committed - whether the proper offences charged - Penal Code Sections 279(a), 296, 140, 144(1). The appellant was charged with stealing from the person and indecent assault of a female, for which he was convicted and sentenced. The complainant had testified that she had approached the appellant for his help in purchasing a piece of land and the appellant had invited her to his house for discussions where, after threatening to kill her, he took all her money and had carnal knowledge of her. The appellant in his defence denied the offences and stated that the complainant had been his lover. Held: 1. If the complainant’s evidence was to be believed, then the appellant should have been charged with the offences of robbery and rape. 2. The offences charged had not been committed as such. 3. In view of the complainant’s submission to sexual intercourse with the appellant in his house, the appellant had told the truth. Appeal allowed, sentences set aside, appellant to be released. Cases No case referred to. Statutes Penal Code Sections 279(a), 296, 140, 144(1) |
| Case Outcome: | APPEAL ALLOWED |
| Disclaimer: | The information contained in the above segment is not part of the judicial opinion delivered by the Court. The metadata has been prepared by Kenya Law as a guide in understanding the subject of the judicial opinion. Kenya Law makes no warranties as to the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information |
Wepukhulu v Republic
High Court, at Nakuru November 5, 1982
Mbaya J
Criminal Appeal No 163 of 1982
November 5, 1982, Mbaya J delivered the following Judgment.
William Wasike Wepukhulu was charged with two offences namely stealing from the person of another contrary to Section 279(a) of the Penal Code (Cap 63) and indecent assault of a female contrary to Section 144(1) of the same Code. On conviction he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the first offence and 31/2 years’ imprisonment and ten strokes of the cane for the second offence. The prison terms were to run concurrently. He now appeals against convictions and sentences.
The complainant (PW 1) testified that on January 29, 1982 she travelled from Turbo to Central Kwanza Location in search of land to buy. At a shopping centre in Kwanza she came to meet the appellant and inquired of him where she could buy a piece of land. The appellant then invited her to his house where they were to discuss availability of land. PW 1 and appellant reached the latter’s house at 3 pm. They spoke to each other till 9 pm. Before sleeping at 9 pm the appellant said he wanted some money. Then says PW 1: “The accused became very harsh while demanding the money and started closing the door saying that if I refuse to give him some money he would kill me. I told the accused not to kill me. If it is money he wants he can take the whole money. I then removed the whole money I had, Kshs 5,500 and threw at him. He then told me that even if I have given him the money I will still be his wife till morning. He then threatened to kill me and he started having carnal knowledge of me.
On the following morning I left the house at about 8 am.”
I have quoted PW 1 at length because this case has a peculiar and suspicious setting. If PW 1 is to be believed, then the prosecution should have charged the appellant with the offence of robbery contrary to Section 296 of the Penal Code and rape contrary to Section 140 of the same Code. The offences charged were not committed as such. Where was stealing as opposed to robbery and where was indecent assault as opposed to rape?
In his defence appellant denied he committed the offences charged. In his petition of appeal, appellant states categorically that complainant was his lover for a long time. In view of the casual conduct of the complainant in feeling comfortable and submitting to sexual intercourse with appellant in his house without protest I am of considered judgment that the appellant told the truth. Learned State Counsel does not support the convictions. I think he is right.
I allow the appellant’s appeal and set aside the sentences imposed on him. He will be released forthwith unless lawfully held.
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