Taveuni man gets 5 months for stealing yaqona

A man has been sentenced to five months in jail for stealing yaqona.

Farmer Lui Frank was sentenced by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne.

Frank had pleaded guilty to the charge of theft and admitted that between December 20, 2016 and December 31, 2016 he stole 100 yaqona plants valued at $2500.

Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne said: “Theft of yaqona has become so prevalent at the moment in Taveuni that it even led to a temporary ban on sale of raw plants.

“Hence deterrence sentences are warranted for offenders to discourage these incidents from happening in future and a clear message needs to be given to the community here that if they steal from farms they need to expect a severe sentence.”

JESSICA SAVIKE

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Bail hearing next month for aggravated robbery accused

A man charged with aggravated robbery and has 41 previous convictions will have his bail hearing on April 10.

Saula Vunivesi yesterday was further remanded by Justice Thusara Rajasinghe at the High Court in Suva.

Vunivesi’s accomplice, Sakaraia Vunisuwai, is also charged with aggravated robbery. He is on a bench warrant.

State lawyer Sujata Lodhia has sought 21 days to confirm Vunisuwai’s residential address because they had received information that he was last seen in Nakasi.

Vunivesi and Vunisuwai have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The alleged incident took place outside the Happy Garden restaurant in Nabua on September 7, last year. It is alleged that they stole money and a mobile phone worth $400 from a man.

Vunivesi is represented by Panapasa Tawake.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: jessica.gounder@fijisun.com.fj