Edwin Thobias Paul vs Republic (Criminal Appeal 130 of 2017) [2018] TZCA 367 (10 May 2018)

The judgment in the case of Edwin Thobias Paul vs. Republic (Criminal Appeal No. 130 of 2017) involves an appeal against a conviction for attempted rape. Paul was initially convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, but this was later reduced to 30 years by the High Court. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision, dismissing the appellant's claims. Importantly, the judgment includes a suggestion for legal reform: the judges noted that the minimum sentence of 30 years for attempted rape seems excessive compared to other attempt offenses, which generally have lower sentences. They suggested that lawmakers consider revising the law to reduce the minimum sentence for this offense, especially as it is equivalent to the punishment for a completed rape of a victim over 18 years old.