The Magistrate’s Court in Suva has sentenced a man convicted of stealing assorted items totalling $6000 to two years and six months imprisonment.
Esala Tumai was found guilty after trial for a count each of burglary and theft committed on December 31, 2022, in Lami, Suva.
Tumai had entered the office of General Data Cabling and Communication, where he stole a variety of expensive tools that the company used for its operations.
Mr Prasad, when finding Tumai guilty, considered the nature of all the evidence before the lower court.
“It is my carefully considered verdict that the prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt by adducing truthful and reliable evidence satisfying all elements of both counts,” ruled the magistrate.
Mr Prasad also noted before passing sentence on August 8 that there is a rise in burglary and theft in Fiji, and deterrence is the primary objective of this sentence, especially the protection of business and restoring confidence.
Tumai will need to serve two years of his head sentence before he can be considered for parole.