Prisoners face court for stealing crops

The case of two prisoners, alleged to have stolen food crops from the Naboro Prison farm, has been adjourned to October 18 at the Suva Magistrates Court.

Prisoners Timoci Momotu and John Doughty were called before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa yesterday.

Momotu and Doughty are charged with theft; and Momotu is also charged with being found in possession of illicit drugs.

It is alleged that on May 5, 2017 at Lami, Momotu and Doughty stole one bag each of dalo, cassava and pumpkins to the total value of $83.00 which was the property of the Fiji Correction Services.

It is also alleged that Momotu without lawful authority possessed 2.2 grammes of cannabis sativa.

Both accused have sought Legal Aid Commission assistance.

The state was represented by Police Prosecutor Corporal Sanil Kumar.

Jessica Savike

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Narayan to Be

Sentenced Next Week

A man charged for attempted murder and act with intent to cause grievous harm will be sentenced on September 19 by the Suva High Court.

Rakesh Narayan appeared before Judge Justice Riyaaz Hamza yesterday.

Rakesh Narayan, 47, stabbed his ex-wife on the face outside Shop N Save supermarket in Nakasi on May 16.

He had also stabbed his ex-wife’s husband causing him actual bodily harm.

He will be sentenced at 2pm.

JESSICA SAVIKE

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Grandfather Pleads Guilty To Rape

A 64-year-old grandfather pleaded guilty to rape and pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

Judge Justice Riyaaz Hamza has advised the accused that he will be getting a sentence between 10 to 15 years and he should consider his plea for the offence of sexual assault.

State lawyer Saif Shah informed the court that he will be relying on the submissions that have already been filed.

Defence lawyer Lisiate Qetaki, however has sought more time to file his submissions and mitigation.

The accused was charged with raping his 14-year-old granddaughter between January and November, last year.

The case has been adjourned to September 25, for sentencing hearing.

Jessica Savike

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Shah To Take Plea Next Month

A 30-year-old man charged with u

nlawful possession of illicit drugs will be taking his plea on October 3, 2017.

Simon Shah appeared before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

Shah is alleged to have been in possession of 117.09 grams of methamphetamine on August 17, 2017 at Raiwaqa.

The state was represented by Police Prosecutor Corporal Sanil Kumar.

Jessica Savike

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Stepfather further remanded

State lawyer Saif Shah has sought seven days to file information in the case of a man charged with four counts of rape.

The 45-year-old accused is the stepfather of the 16-year-old victim.

The matter was heard before Judge Justice Riyaaz Hamza at the Suva High Court yesterday.

Defence lawyer Anil Chand informed the court that he will be filing a supplementary affidavit on the accused’s bail application.

The alleged offences occurred between May 19, 2017 and June 23, 2017 at Vatuwaqa.

The case has been adjourned to September 21, for mention.

.Jessica Savike

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Ra Sedition Case Sum Up on 15th

September

The defence and prosecution will sum up the case involving fifteen Ra people charged with sedition on September 12th.

The court heard closing submissions from both prosecution lawyers and defence lawyers who restated their main points of argument to the five assessors.

The case will be called again tomorrow before Justice Aruna Aluthge who will be summing up the case.

kathrin krishna

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Agriculture Officer Released On Bail

An agriculture officer who allegedly used a piece of timber to hit his de facto partner, a Police officer, appeared in the Labasa Magistrate ‘s Court yesterday.

Laisiasa Nakaibau charged for act with intent to cause grievous harm appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.

It is alleged that on Saturday around 3am, the 28-year-old following a heated argument allegedly hit his 40-year-old de facto partner on her head repeatedly using a piece of timber at their home in Nailawa, Labasa.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Monish Chandra informed the court that the victim was in serious condition and on Tuesday she was airlifted to CWM Hospital since she cannot speak and is suffering from severe head injuries.

He further informed the court that it was a serious offence and requested the case to be transferred to Labasa High Court.

Nakaibau’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission, Uraia Koroi requested if his client could be released on bail since he had to look after his two children, was not a danger to society and had been in remand for a long time.

Mr Koroi informed the court that Nakaibau was a first offender and would adhere to strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Savou questioned the accused who was looking after his children while he was in remand and his wife in hospital.

Nakaibau replied that his “cousin sister” was looking after them.

Magistrate Savou told the court that this was a domestic violence offence and hence he issued a domestic violence restraining order on him.

He then informed the court that since the remand centre was overcrowded in Labasa he would release the accused on bail provided he produced two sureties and each had to pay $300.

He was then told to report at Labasa Police Station every fortnight.

The case has been transferred to Labasa High Court to be heard on  October 24.

SHRATIKA SINGH

Edited by Mohammed Ali

Two Missing At Sea

Two men have been reported missing at sea after they failed to reach their destination on Tuesday September 12.

The two men aged 60 and 20 years of age left Nabouwalu bound for Rakiraki on Tuesday morning on board a fibre glass boat (blue and white) named “Emmanual”. The 60 year old had informed his wife who resides in Lautoka that they had left Nabouwalu at 4am.

When they failed to turn up a report was lodged and are requesting mariners to call Crime Stoppers on 919 if they sight the two.

Source: Fiji Police media Cell

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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