Two men convicted of committing common assault to steal a pair of canvas and a $7 cap have each received a three-year suspended sentence.
Eseki Nacegu, 20, and Josefa Natadra, 22, had their sentences delivered by Justice Aruna Aluthge at the High Court in Lautoka on a count of aggravated robbery last week. Natadra was also charged with common assault.
Court records show the two complainants were walking along Ratu Mara Rd and noticed a group of boys drinking. One of them asked if he could exchange his T-shirt with one of the complainants but during the ensuing exchange, three boys started beating one of the complainants. The other complainant was grabbed and punched three times on his right eyebrow, mouth and face.
“The courts have emphasised that the increasing prevalence of these offences in our community calls for deterrent punishment,” Justice Aluthge ruled last week.
“However, young and first offenders who are willing to take responsibility for their wrongdoings should be given an opportunity to rehabilitate.
“No weapon was used in the commission of the offence. The offence appears to be optimistic.”
In mitigation, Nacegu said he was married to a five-month pregnant woman and also supported his three sisters in school.
Natadra told the court he has an eight-month-old child and the family’s sole breadwinner.
Both men expressed remorse for their actions and sought the clemency of the court.
Nacegu will serve six months of his 24-month term while the remainder of 18 months was suspended for three years.
Co-accused Natadra will need to serve three months of his 18-month jail term. The remaining 12 months will be suspended for three years.
