A former regional engineer of the Water Authority of Fiji, who was convicted of accepting a bribe, has been sentenced to 18 months with a non-parole period of 12 months.

Mohammed Shahfraaz Ali was convicted on December last year but sentenced by Magistrate Jeremaia Savou at the Suva Magistrate’s Court last week.

During trial, FICAC had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ali, without lawful authority, accepted an advantage in the form of a Fiji Airways return ticket to Sydney worth $AUS1430.60 (F$2087) which was paid for by Sphynix Solutions Pty Ltd.

The prosecution had sought a sentence aimed at deterring future offenders from committing similar offences and for the protection of the public.

Mr Savou, while noting the high degree of culpability, adopted the “instinctive synthesis approach” for sentencing.

“The court does not wish to suspend any part of the sentence as an act of deterrence for like-minded offenders,” he said in his ruling.

Ali has also been ordered to pay a $3000 fine.