A secondary school teacher, who breached social gathering orders, was sentenced to pay a fine of $1000 yesterday.

The accused Savenaca Vakaseisei, 38, a Lami High School teacher, with a previous conviction, appeared before Magistrate Deepika Prakash charged alongside five other men.

The men were found drinking alcohol at 2pm at a house in Ryland Place in Vatuwaqa on April 13. They all pleaded guilty.

However, they informed the court that they were cutting their hair.

Vakaseisei pleaded with Magistrate Prakash to impose a non-custodial sentence after he informed her that his fourth child was born the previous day on Tuesday.

He sought forgiveness from the Court and said he was willing to pay a fine.

His co-accused Tuimoala Kotobalavu, 25, Joni Ravuga, 35, Sefanaia Temo, 44, Virivo Bibi, 29, and Vereti Wailetu, 34, who also have previous convictions asked the court to consider that Suva is currently was in a lockdown and most of them are unemployed and had difficulty in paying a fine.

Magistrate Prakash sentenced them all to pay a fine of $1000 each within 30 days or face 30 days imprisonment.

Furthermore, she advised them not to gather with people they do not reside with.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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