A 30-year-old man of Naweni in Taveuni was advised by the Labasa Magistrates Court to reflect on his life and where he was heading if he continued to commit crimes.

Viliame Ratumaibuca appeared before Magistrate Cama Tuberi at the Labasa Magistrates Court, yesterday. He was charged with one count of drunk and disorderly conduct and one count of giving false information to a public servant. He was handed a two year suspended sentence by the Magistrates Court.

The facts of the case revealed that on July 16, 2016, the accused boarded a bus from Nabalebale to Labasa and allegedly assaulted a passenger.

The court heard that Ratumaibuca was arrested at the Seaqaqa Police Station and interviewed under caution where he admitted to allegedly lying to the Police.

It is alleged that the accused gave false information to the Police Officer that his name was Jone Madraiwiwi.

He has four previous conviction cases.

In mitigation, Ratumaibuca promised not to reoffend, was remorseful and was said to be a bread winner of his family.

Magistrate Tuberi said cases of this nature could attract seven to eight years’ imprisonment.

However, he took into account Ratumaibuca’s mitigating factors which were that he was the sole bread winner of his family and that he was remorseful.

Magistrate Tuberi said while the attack caused minor injuries, the accused was young and pleaded guilty before the commencement of the trial and co-operated with the Police.

The charges were read out to him in court and he indicated he understood them.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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