Justice Aruna Aluthge yesterday told Justin Ho that his two brothers and a stepsister can take care of his ill father in his absence.
Sentencing Justin Ho to life imprisonment, Justice Aruna Aluthge said as a born Catholic, “you were actively engaged in community services and church work.”
:You provided employment opportunities to 10 Fijian youths. However, you opened the business as a cover to carry out illegal activities and exposed the youths to the drug trade, putting their lives at risk.”
“You have breached the trust reposed in you by your employees.”
Addressing Ho’s personal circumstances and mitigation plea, the judge said ‘you are young, 34 years of age, and looking after your sickly father.
“Even for a most serious drug offender, his or her personal circumstances do matter. But I do not find any mitigating features in your personal circumstances. You have two brothers and a stepsister. They can take care of your father in your absence.”
Justice Aluthge also reflected on Ho’s sports background, which would not influence leniency.
“You had a promising track record in soccer and squash. At one time, you were Fiji’s No. 1 squash player under 9, 12, and 17 categories.”
“Unfortunately, you decided to ruin not only your bright career but also that of the youths who worked for you.”
“Your status as a sports celebrity is not going to help you in any way, as the business you ventured into had the potential of destroying Fiji’s entire young generation. You abused your position as a sports celebrity.”
Highlighting the severity of the offense, Justice Aluthge observed life imprisonment is prescribed by the Extradition and Drugs Control Act and by the guideline judgment for anyone who is in possession of or imports illicit drugs exceeding 1 kilogram.
“You imported and possessed more than 4,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. No drug offender has ever faced life imprisonment in this jurisdiction.”
Justice Aluthge imposed a non-parole period of 30 years.
“You are eligible for parole after serving 30 years in the correctional facility.”
“Rehabilitation receives less consideration for primary drug offenders of this magnitude.”
“Fiji is increasingly becoming a hot spot for drug trafficking, and therefore general and specific deterrence must be the primary considerations in setting the non-parole period.”
“Denunciation and public protection are also important considerations.”
“Although you have spent nearly 14 months in remand, I am unable to give any discount on that account for two reasons. First, you have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Second, you breached bail conditions and tried to escape whilst on bail to prevent the course of justice.”