Two men were remanded at the Natabua Corrections Facility by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday.

Finiasi Cakacaka, 22, and Savenaca Vunisa, 24, appeared before Magistrate Siromi Turaga, each charged with two counts of aggravated burglary.

The court heard that between December 29 and December 30 last year, the two accused with others were alleged to have robbed and assaulted security officer, Bhaguty Prasad, in Nadi.

They were alleged to have been armed with kitchen knives and an axe during the incident; they are also alleged to have stolen an Alcatel mobile phone worth $50 and a torch light valued at $60.

The court also heard that the two accused and others afterwards allegedly robbed the home of Jai Reddy, a businessman on the same property.

They allegedly stole assorted jewellery worth $208,079, an Adidas backpack worth $163, a Samsung S7 phone worth $510,00, a Samsung On5 worth $714, a Vedo smartphone worth $204, a Forme worth $204.00, a Samsung mobile charger $20, Red Door perfume worth $198, Tommy Bahama perfume worth $41 and Old Spice perfume worth $20.

They are also alleged to have taken off in a Toyota Prius registration JC-367 valued at $17,000, and $10,000 cash to the total value of $237,153.

The two understood the charges when read out. They told the court they would seek the services of Legal Aid Lawyers.

Representing the State, Police prosecutor Sergeant Francis Bale told the court that the offences committed were indictable offences.

Accused Vunisa told the court that both of them needed medical examinations. They claimed that they were assaulted by Police officers before and during the interview period.

Magistrate Turaga transferred the matter to the High Court because of the indictable offence.

The escorting officers were advised by the court that the accused needed to be taken to the hospital for medical examinations.

Magistrate Turaga remanded the two accused to the Natabua Corrections Facility and adjourned the case to the High Court in Lautoka on January 17.

In a separate case, accused Vunisa, 24, appeared before Magistrate Dias on one count of aggravated burglary.

The court heard that on December 25, in Nadi, the accused allegedly robbed Sandeep Singh.

He allegedly stole eight gross of BH20 cigarette packs valued at $984.88, half a gross of BH20 cigarette packs worth $124.35, six Pall Mall Red cigarette packs worth $23.20, Pall Mall Green cigarette packs worth $34, half gross of Switch 10 valued at $124.13, and $250 cash.

The court also heard that before the incident the accused allegedly used force on the victim.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Parmesh Chand informed the court that the accused had appeared earlier in the day in similar offences and the matter had been transferred before the High Court of Lautoka.

Magistrate Dias adjourned the matter for the High Court of Lautoka for January 17.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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