A FIJI Police Force exhibit writer has been convicted and remanded in custody after being found guilty of stealing $5000 placed in police custody as an exhibit.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad convicted Selai Gaunabalavu, who was stationed at the Nabua Police Station, of one count of theft.
Magistrate Prasad accepted the prosecution witnesses’ evidence regarding the missing cash and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
The court was told that during the investigation, Gaunabalavu left Nabua Police Station without informing anyone on the day the exhibit money was scheduled to be returned to the victim.
Magistrate Prasad also admitted a police caution interview into evidence, rejecting Gaunabalavu’s assertions that she was threatened beforehand after finding her defence evidence lacked credibility and reliability.
Gaunabalavu will be sentenced on September 30.
