BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Honiara Central Magistrate Court on Thursday sentenced a man who was diagnosed with psychosis to 9 months imprisonment.

The offender was subsequently released that same day after the court took into account that he had already served that jail term whilst undergoing treatment at Rove Correctional Centre.

In delivering her sentence judgment, Mrs. Emily Zazariko Pakoa said: ‘’While the primary reason behind his past 7 years at the Rove Correctional Centre was based solely on his medical history, the appropriate custodial imprisonment term this court will impose has already been served’’.

Mr Willy Hori, a native of Central Bauro, Makira Province, was charged in relation to an assault causing bodily harm incident which occurred on February 12, 2019, at the police residential area in Kirakira.

The complainant in this case is Mrs. Docas Kaisi.

The matter was later transferred to the Honiara Central Magistrate Court after it was found that the defendant was not mentally fit to take his plea.

It was upon Mr Hori’s admission into the Rove Correctional Centre that he was diagnosed with psychosis and has since been on antipsychotic treatments to date.

The Director of Public Prosecutions gave notice to the court as to the recent assessment carried out on the defendant, which concluded that he was ready to enter his plea.

He pleaded guilty to the amended charge of assault causing actual bodily harm filed on February, 4, 2026.

Accordingly, the Principal Magistrate entered a conviction against the guilty plea entered by the defendant.

The Principal Magistrate raised serious concerns regarding the notable increase of young men and women roaming the streets of Honiara and elsewhere in the provinces who are suffering from different kinds of psychotic disorders.

‘’The critical question is whether the mental treatment Act is being effectively implemented and utilised’’, Mrs Pakoa said.

The defendant’s present condition is a direct result of over seven years of ongoing medical treatment whilst being kept at the Central Correctional Centre.

The Principal Magistrate further reminded the two Correctional Services Solomon Islands (CSSI) officers who accompanied the defendant in court that the defendant’s repatriation to Kirakira is to be facilitated by CSSI within 14 days from the date of the sentence.

The court ordered that he must reside with his mother and brother, Mr David Hori in their home village at Naoha, Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province.

The defendant was also ordered to attend the Kirakira Mental Health Centre Clinic for regular medical reviews and to continue taking his prescribed medication.

Lastly, the court ordered and directed that his immediate caregivers shall ensure that he remains compliant with his medication and treatment regime.

This case illustrates the challenges of balancing criminal liability with mental health considerations within our criminal justice system.

Mrs Patricia Tabepuda Waisanau represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and Ms Tracey Aisa from the Public Solicitors Office represented the defendant.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Magistrate Court has adjourned a criminal case involving a man accused of illegal gold trading after the prosecuting counsel in carriage of the case file failed to appear in court.

Mr Xiao Yulin, 39, a Chinese national, was charged under sections 53(a) and 63 of the Mines and Minerals Act for allegedly engaging in unauthorised gold dealing and for allegedly obtaining a Business Certificate by false pretense under section 311 and section 41 of the Penal Code.

He was scheduled to enter his plea to that amended charge before Chief Magistrate Ricky Lomea yesterday.

The accused was in court yesterday with his defence lawyer. However, the prosecuting counsel in carriage of the case file was not in attendance at court yesterday, prompting an adjournment.

“The Prosecuting Counsel in carriage of the case file needs to attend at the next mention to properly assist the court before the defendant can take his plea’’, Chief Magistrate told the court.

Chief Magistrate Lomea subsequently granted an adjournment to May 11 at 9am, when the accused is expected to enter his plea.

In the meantime, police bail for Mr Xiao was extended till Monday.

Fraud Unit investigations revealed that the accused and a local associate, Mr William Salu, were illegally buying gold from illegal miners and panners from the Gold Ridge Mining site at the rate of $850 per gram with a signboard displaying ‘Buy Gold’ at Tenaru junction, Central Guadalcanal—an area not covered by the license, which is owned by a relative of Mr Salu.

Documents revealed Xiao was employed by Happy Inn Company, trading as “Fastina Gold Buyer” under a licence registered for Alligator Creek.

The accused continued to buy gold illegally without a gold dealer’s licence from November 7, 2025 to January 6, 2026 in the Tenaru area in Guadalcanal Province.

The Gold Dealer’s Licence is intended for Solomon Islands citizens only and is non-transferable.

Section 55 (1) b (iii) of the Mines and Minerals Act states that the Minister may issue a gold dealer’s license to any person who is over 21 years old and is a citizen of Solomon Islands.

Currently, issuance of licenses is suspended after the GRML notified the Ministry of Mines of non-issuance, following reports that licenses that were intended for local entrepreneurs were being exploited by Chinese gold buyers.

The offence of illegal gold dealing carries a maximum penalty of a $20,000 fine, five years’ imprisonment, or both. Whereas, the offence of False Pretense attracts an imprisonment of two years or with a fine or both fine and imprisonment.

Jeremy Oifa, acting on instructions from Steward Tonowane, represents the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while Private Defence lawyer Mark Sina from Honiara Attorney at Law represents the accused.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The Honiara Central Magistrate’s Court on Thursday sentenced a man convicted of malicious injury and criminal trespass to 2 years’ imprisonment.

Billy Buga, 35, of Fourou village, North Malaita, Malaita Province, was charged with two counts of charges.

The first count is in relation to malicious injuries contrary to section 326(1) of the Penal Code and carries a maximum penalty of two-years imprisonment.

The second count is in relation to Criminal Trespass contrary to section 189 (2) of the Penal Code. In this case, the trespassing into a dwelling house attracts a 1-year imprisonment maximum.

Principal Magistrate, Mrs Emily Zazariko Pakoa, presided over the matter when it came for sentencing judgment.

According to the crime statistic record, the defendant had already been imprisoned for 24 months and on previous separate occasions had been caught up with the law for 12 past offences. Thus, the defendant has a notable criminal history for reoffending and prior convictions.

The defendant was told in court that despite the advice given to him by past magistrates, he still turned a deaf ear to those advices.

Principal Magistrate, Mrs Pakoa, in addressing the defendant at the dock said: ‘’In the ideal world, people are subjected to change in just one or two experiences’’.

“When you come out of prison, please try to make good use of your strength and ability to make your community happy’’, she told the defendant in court.

She further told the defendant in pidgin that: “I do not want the community to call you a thief, I want your community to see you as a boss of a construction company or something highly of you in the future’’.

As to the first count, it was alleged that on April 26, 2025, between 9 am and 2 pm, the complainant saw the defendant walking towards his car before he kicked the right-side rear mirror of the complainant’s car, located on the driver’s side.

This caused the right-side rear mirror to break into pieces, with the damaged glass worth at $1,500. The court heard that the defendant did not pay compensation for the damaged property.

The complainant is Mr Ronald Konai of Darawarau village, Malaita province.

As to the second count of criminal trespass, the complainant is Melissa Amon, a native of Guadalcanal Province.

It was alleged that on July 20, 2025, at around 5 am, the defendant gained entry through Mrs Amon’s main door and tried to steal a phone.

The complainant’s son then grabbed the defendant, and with the help of his brother, they both managed to tie both hands and legs of the defendant and take the phone from him.

Irene Mae Bosokuru from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), prosecuted the matter, and Ms Tracey Taisi from the Public Solicitors Office represented the defendant.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]