A father of three has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a violent armed robbery on a business in Raiwaqa, Suva, in 2023.
Taniela Tatawaqa Koroi was convicted of aggravated robbery following a trial which established that he and two accomplices, armed with cane knives, stormed QIQI SPA on Grantham Rd in April 2023.
The court heard that the group assaulted some staff members and used the weapons to threaten them before fleeing with cash and mobile phones.
Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne said it was evident that even after three years, the trauma continued to affect them.
“Whilst I sympathise with your young children who require your support, this court has a duty to impose punishment on offenders who engage in violent robberies, in order to deter others from committing similar offences in the future,” Mr Somaratne said.
Koroi will be eligible for parole after serving six years of his head sentence.
