Two pastors and a contractor, who were having lunch at the seaside opposite Bidesi Park, were produced in Court yesterday.

Vaviano Bibi, 43, Satiti Roko, 53, and Paula Verevakabau, 31, were arrested at 2:40pm on Thursday for violating social gathering orders.

They told Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili that they were waiting for the tide to go down so that they could go diving when they were arrested. They had their diving gear with them.

All three men pleaded guilty to the offence and were convicted.

In mitigation, Bibi said he worked as a construction contractor and was willing to perform community work.

Roko and Verevakabau sought forgiveness from the court and said they were pastors.

The men said they did not mean to breach the law and their only intention was to catch fish for their families.

They all agreed to perform community work and were sentenced to complete 30hours of community work.

Their case has been adjourned to May 26 for review to check on the progress of their community work.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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