The peaceful enjoyment of life by every citizen in Fiji is dependent on the work Police officers perform each day.

This comment was made by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne while sentencing a 39-year-old farmer and father of four children, to nine months imprisonment after he was convicted of three counts of serious assault of two Police officers.

Sikeli Tabati appeared before Magistrate Somaratne at the Magistrates Court in Nausori last week for his sentencing.

Tabati with some others were drinking at Levuka Town on March 25, 2018, and when Police officer DC Manoj Kumar asked him to leave the place, Tabati punched Mr Kumar’s forehead.  Tabati also resisted the arrest by another Police officer and also bit his finger. Both Police officers received injuries as per the medical reports produced in the court.

Magistrate Somaratne said: “The violent attacks on those who work in law enforcement services are an attack on society itself.

“Hence severe sentences would be warranted for people who commit this kind of offence.

“Accordingly I find a custodial sentence is warranted in this case to denounce the behaviour of the accused and deter others from committing similar kinds of offences in the future.

“The offences that you committed are similar in nature and hence I am going to impose an aggregate sentence of imprisonment for these three counts pursuant to section 17 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act”.

Tabati was given 28 days to appeal.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback:  ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj