Former Police officer jailed for soliciting $200 bribe

A former Police constable has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for soliciting a $200 bribe from a man whose traffic case he was investigating.

Adrian Mangru was sentenced in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday by Resident Magistrate Joseph Daurewa. He was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of bribery.

The court heard that between October 22 and November 9, 2021, Mangru contacted the victim and told him the traffic matter was “fatal” and supported by strong evidence.

He then offered to help the victim avoid a 14-day remand in exchange for $200.

The victim was unable to provide the money. Mangru was later arrested, interviewed and charged.

In mitigation, the 27-year-old told the court he was a first-time offender, married with three children and had entered an early guilty plea, saving court time and resources.

In sentencing, Resident Magistrate Daurewa said Mangru abused his position of authority as the investigating officer in the matter.

The court noted the offence involved planning and was motivated by financial gain.

Mangru was assessed as a Category 1 offender, attracting a starting point of 21 months’ imprisonment.

The sentence was reduced by three months for his guilty plea, resulting in a final term of 18 months’ imprisonment.

The court further ordered that the 166 days he spent on remand be considered as time served.

He will therefore serve one year in prison.

Mangru has 28 days to file an appeal.

He represented himself in court.