Bail rejected for suspended cop accused of stealing from elderly

The Suva Magistrate Court has denied bail for Elizabeth Sautu, a suspended police officer charged with stealing $3,000 from a 66-year-old man in Sigatoka last March.

Sautu, 24, appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza this afternoon.

She is charged with one count of theft and has two other pending cases involving similar charges.

During the proceedings, Police prosecutor Sergeant Laveti Ledua objected to Sautu’s bail, citing her pending case at the Nasinu Magistrate Court for allegedly assaulting and extorting money from a Nasinu businessman in July this year.

The first pending case dates back to 2021, in which she is charged with conspiracy, involving allegations of providing false information for personal gain.

Sergeant Ledua told the court that the accused, a police officer currently on interdiction, posed a high risk of interfering with state prosecution witnesses and reoffending. She also argued that the matter was of public interest.

Defence lawyer Joji Cakau pleaded with the court, stating that his client had not been convicted and was willing to pay cash bail and provide suitable sureties.

Mr Cakau also acknowledged that his client had a bench warrant issued against her, attributing it to his own oversight in failing to notify Sautu of her next court appearance.

Magistrate Hamza refused bail and adjourned the matter to October 27 for mention.