A Police Corporal was yesterday remanded in custody by the Lautoka Magistrate’s Court for alleged theft.

Rusiate Salasaladrau, 41, is accused of  stealing two laptops and cash from fellow officers.  He appeared before Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena.

Salasaladrau who faces two counts of theft will reappear in court on December 5.

Prosecuting officer Corporal Munsamy Chetty told the court the alleged offences took place at the Lautoka Police Station on November 21. It is alleged that Salasaladrau took two laptops, both worth $2695 each, belonging to WPC Lusi Robanakadavu and WPC Salome Leiloma and $21 was also taken from the latter.

Corporal Chetty said he objected to bail because this was a case of national interest.

He said the case was serious as the items were stolen from the Lautoka Police Station and Salasaladrau had breached the trust placed on him.

In requesting bail, Salasaladrau said he had taken the laptops because the officers he had taken them from were his tauvus (traditional kinship).

He said he was married with three children, the sole breadwinner and also looking after his in-laws.

He sought forgiveness through the court.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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