Vakarisi back in court for drug, property offences

A man convicted of drug possession and damaging police property appeared in the High Court in Suva yesterday for a review of his sentence.

Jone Vakarisi appeared before Chief Justice Salesi Temo for the hearing to review a sentence earlier imposed by the Suva Magistrate Court. Vakarisi had pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of damaging property. The offences were committed in 2023.

According to the court’s summary of facts that were read in court, Vakarisi was found with 15.2 grams of marijuana. During the same incident, he also damaged a police officer’s uniform.

The Magistrate Court had earlier sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment, but the sentence was suspended for two years.

Senior State lawyer Eoghn Samisoni is leading the prosecution in the matter.

Meanwhile, Vakarisi chose to represent himself in court.

Justice Temo directed the prosecution to address several issues in its submissions, including whether the sentence imposed by the lower court was appropriate and served the interests of justice.

The matter has been adjourned to March 30 for further hearing.

Vakarisi’s bail has been further extended.