Farmer jailed 16 years after terrorising taxi driver, robbing shop

A 33-year-old farmer has been sentenced to 16 years and six months imprisonment after being convicted of robbing a Labasa taxi driver and a Savusavu shopkeeper.

Sekove Asama appeared before High Court Judge Justice Lee James Burney in Labasa.

Asama, a single parent of two children, was convicted of two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of damaging property.

The court heard that on January 29, 2025, Asama, together with two other suspects, allegedly stole a vehicle bearing registration number LT7072, a mobile phone and $600 cash belonging to Labasa taxi driver Jason Sami.

The following day, the court heard that Asama and the other suspects allegedly entered Rajesh Kumar’s shop in Savusavu and stole assorted items, including packets of cigarettes, mobile recharge cards and a mobile phone.

The court also heard that two Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) screens were smashed, with the total value of stolen and damaged property amounting to $5,918.

Justice Burney said CCTV footage showed a violent and terrifying robbery by two men armed with extremely dangerous weapons.

The judge told Asama that he had terrorised a taxi driver while the driver was providing a service to the public by abducting him, detaining him for a prolonged period, holding a knife to his throat and threatening to kill him.

Justice Burney said the incident caused the victim substantial emotional, psychological and financial harm.

Asama was sentenced to 16 years and six months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 13 years and six months.