Welfare Officer, Cemetery Caretaker And Son Fined $1000 Each

Three men who were found drinking kava at the Vatuwaqa Cemetery on Wednesday night have been ordered to pay a fine of $1000 each.

Virendra Singh, the 59-year-old cemetery caretaker, Ravneel Singh, his 34-year-old son, and Nereo Kanasalusalu, a 26-year-old welfare officer, all pleaded guilty to the offence and were convicted.

Virendra and Nereo are charged with giving false information to a Police officer and all three men are jointly charged with breaching social gathering orders.

On the day of the incident about 5pm, two Police officers went to Virendra’s house to question his son, who was suspected of stealing a goat from the Ministry of Agriculture.

When Police arrived at the residence, they found Virendra drinking kava with Nereo and after enquiring about Ravneel’s whereabouts, they were informed that he had moved to Makoi.

While the Police officers were still talking to Virendra, they saw Ravneel escape through the back door and ran towards the cemetery.

All three men were arrested and charged at the Raiwaqa Police Station.

In mitigation, they sought the court’s forgiveness and promised not to reoffend.

Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili ordered them all to pay a fine of $1000 each within two months or face an imprisonment term of 100 days.

Their case was adjourned to June 17 for review.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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