A farmer accused of robbing the Alison Supermarket at Laucala Beach Estate outside Suva last year has been denied bail because of the unlikelihood of his appearance in the High Court.
Leone Lesumailepanoni, who faces four counts of aggravated robbery, was denied bail by Justice Thushara Rajasinghe on July 24.
Mr Lesumailepanoni and two others allegedly stole a taxi after tying up the driver and dumping him in the boot of the vehicle, and, while brandishing cane knives, threatened attendants and shoppers at the Laucala Beach supermarket on December 2 last year.
They are also accused of robbing a customer of about $24,000 in cash and another of $100 before robbing the supermarket of $1650.35.
Mr Lesumailepanoni had sought bail to look after his family, and also due to the condition of the remand centre being unsatisfactory and unsafe for his health.
DPP lawyer Simone Seruvatu objected due to his unlikelihood of appearing in court, the seriousness of the offence, the public interest, and protection of the community.
Justice Rajasinghe, in his decision, said the accused faced serious offences and has a pending matter in the Nasinu Magistrate’s Court for allegedly escaping from lawful custody.
“He has an adverse record with 10 previous convictions, two of which were recorded in the last ten years,” stated the judge.
“Having considered the seriousness of the offence and the conduct of the (accused), I find that there is substantial ground to believe that the (accused) is more likely to commit an offence while on bail and also that he may abscond from court if bail is granted.”
The case has been adjourned to August 13 for a pretrial conference.