Suva Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa yesterday suspended the sentences of two men who broke into the Raiwai Community Hall on December 30, 2017 for two years.

Matereti Dolavi, 29, and Samisoni Labakoro, 26, were sentenced to four months imprisonment yesterday after they pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal trespass and damaging property.

The facts of the case revealed that on the day of the offence the Police received a report at about 2:24am that some drunken people had broken into the hall.

When the Police arrived at the scene they chased the youths away and managed to apprehend the two men who admitted to the allegations during their Police interview.

The duo admitted to wilfully and unlawfully damaging the fence and door of the Raiwai Youth Community Hall with repair costs valued at $180.

In mitigation Dolavi said he was married with two children and worked at Telecom Fiji Limited.

He said he was drunk at the time of the offence and could not recall his actions.

Second accused Labakoro indicated that he was also married with two children and worked at a building firm while he was also a member of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Territorial Forces.

Labakoro told Magistrate Boseiwaqa that he was scheduled to attend a medical board on January 15 this year and requested if he could be allowed to attend for a tour of duty overseas.

Both men stated that they were willing to pay for damages.

The court heard that both men have previous convictions where Dolavi was sentenced to six days imprisonment for assault causing actual bodily harm and Labakoro was given a suspended sentence last year for criminal trespass.

They were given 28 days to appeal.Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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