BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against three people accused of fraud is set to be heard in court on February 4.

Joe Rex Raukaniu who claimed to be recruiting agent for seasonal work in Australia together with his workers Shirly Fa’aitoa and Elsie Vamily Nagive will faced court for plea on February 4 and for confirmation of lawyers for Nagive and Fa’aitoa.

On Tuesday this week the matter mention in court where prosecutor Jeremy Oiofa informed court that investigation for the matter has been completed and disclosures served to the defence counsel for Raukaniu.

Accused Fa’aitoa and Nagive who alleged to worked for Raukaniu are yet to be represented by counsels hence, court direct the prosecutor to served their disclosures to them personally in court for them to find a lawyer for their matter.

Matter is moved to February 4 for two accused to confirm their legal representative and for them to take their plea.

Joe Rex Raukaniu together with Elsie Vamily Nagive and Shirly Fa’aitoa charged for false pretence contrary to section 308 (a) read with section 21 of the Penal Code.

Police alleged on two separate occasions of an unknown date of February, 2023 accused informs the two separate complainants that he was one of the agents who recruit workers for Australia for seasonal.

It was alleged that accused took $2,500 from the first complainant and $2,300 from the second complainant.

Allegation further states that the accused later called the second complainant and ask another $1000 dollars.

Upon receiving the amount, Raukaniu told the two complainants that he will update them on the status of their names for the seasonal work.

However, the two-complainant waited but there’s no response from the accused regarding the seasonal work updates as he promised them.

So, the complainants allegedly went and lodge their complains to the police.

Selwyn Vaike appears for the crown and Jennifer Happilyn act for the accused.

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two Malaitan leaders Daniel Suidani and Celsus Talifilu will be heard in court this morning before Principal Magistrate Elma Veenah Rizzu Hilly for setting of trial date.

In the last mention the presiding magistrate was away for meeting in Tulagi hence, counsels seek adjournment for the matter to be heard before the magistrate which presiding over the file.

The two accused Suidani and Talifilu charged together for two counts of unlawful assembly and both pleaded not guilty to the charged.

The allegations stated the two accused were being taken into the custody for their alleged role in masterminding a number of unlawful assemblies and protest in Auki, Malaita Province in 201.

Those unlawful assemblies and protects were alleged carried out by the Malaita for Democracy (M4D).

Two accused were then later arrested on October 3, 2024 and charged.

Mary-Anne Zurenuoc act for crown and Lilly Ramo represent both defendants.

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Investigation into the case of a couple charged over their involvement in stolen gold dust and having in their possession the property of Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) is yet to complete.

Max Gura and Miriam Keni Sasau were charged together with one count of simple larceny and one count of possessing police property.

Friday last week, the police prosecutor Smith Abuo informs the court that there were four witnessed statements which police yet to obtain.

The defence counsel for Gura informed court he had received disclosures from prosecution.

He also confirmed that he will represent Gura.

Keni Sasau is yet to be represented.

The matter was adjourned to January 31 for prosecution to update court on the status of the investigations.

Remand for Gura was extended and bail for Keni Sasau also extended.

Police alleged on September 24, 2024, the complainant and his sister boarded their vehicle together with the prime suspect and drove to the Bread Bank at Kukum to do a deposit.

This deposit was part of the facilitation process to export their 8992.10 grammes of gold ashes.

The allegation further stated that the gold ashes was owned by the complainant and his family, which they decided to export overseas.

On their arrival at Bread Bank the complainant and his sister went inside the bank while the prime suspect waited in the vehicle.

After several minutes passed, complainant sister came out of the bank and noticed that the suspect was not in the vehicle. She allegedly looked for the bag that contained the 8,992.10 grammes of gold ashes but it was missing. She then tried to look for the prime suspect but did not see him anywhere around. So, she went back inside the bank and told her brother the complainant.

The complainant and his sister search for the prime suspect and tried to contact him however, his phone was switched off. There they believed the suspect escape with the bag of gold ashes.

On September 26, 2024 defendant Max Gura transported the prime suspect in his vehicle to escape from the police and hid her at his village in Guadalcanal.

The allegation stated, Gura alleged to receive a portion of the stolen gold ashes from the prime suspect and his wife after he drop him off at his hideout.

Police also alleged that later on defendant Keni Sasau sold a portion of gold which she alleged to collect an amount of $ 160,000 and return the monies to her husband Gura and the prime suspect.

The prime suspect then gave Gura and his wife Keni Sasau an amount of $ 10,000.

On the 3^rd of October 2024, defendant Keni Sasau was intercepted by the Police Officer from Henderson Police at Henderson area while she went to sell another plastic contain gold ashes weighing around 80 grams, given to her by defendants Gura and the prime suspect.

The allegation further alleged that later in November 2024 the prime suspect escape to Auki and handed the remaining gold ashes to defendant Gura who would find a gold buyer to buy them.

Police allege that Gura went on and sold the stolen gold ashes, portion by portion.

Police discovered defendant Gura bought a number of vehicles and shared them amongst his family members. He also alleged to brought three door Rav4 and two-tone vehicles and Hilux which shipped to Auki. Gura and Keni Sasau also alleged to bought a piece of land at Tasahe B and currently building home on that land plot.

On 5^th of December 2024, police executed a Search Warrant at defendant Gura and Keni Sasau residence at Lugga. Police alleged to found a small szeba bottle containing several grams of gold ashes, a cash of $ 6,317-60, small medicine like plastic for storing and weighting gold ashes which contain remain gold ashes, dark blue RSIPF Cargo Pant, one RSIPF Fire Service-EMT dark blue long sleeve station wear, one 511 blue tactical pant and one black OST rain coat, the properties of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Both defendants were arrested and charged accordingly.

Police Prosecutor Smith Abuo appears for the crown and Donation Houa for Gura.

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man who had pled guilty to the charge of arson has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment by the magistrate court.

Court sentenced Thomas Pegoa to 14 months imprisonment with a direction that six months of the sentence be suspended for one year, on condition that the accused does not re-offend. Pegoa therefore is to serve only eight months in prison for arson. His sentence to commence on the date of his first remand.

The sentence was delivered on Tuesday this week by Principal Magistrate Dalcy Belapitu Oligari.

In delivering the sentence, Oligari highlight the sentencing remarks which the sentence imposed by the Court will reflect both specific and general deterrence. It must not be viewed in isolation, but rather in conjunction with the principal of rehabilitation.

Oligari added, this approach aims to enable the offender to learn from this case and serves as a turning point, providing the opportunity for rehabilitation and the chance to re-integrate as a better individual upon his eventual return from custody.

Court also highlights the aggravating factors which are; significant damage to the property-the complainant house was completely burnt to the ground. It is a loss which apparently takes time, expenses and labor to rebuild it. The complainant and his wife left in a devastated position of being displaced or homeless.

The significant financial loss for the complainant. The dwelling house values around $ 4000. The complainant stated in his victim impact statement that he lost money he had spent on building the house, and on some properties that were burnt in the house.

Pegoa was voluntarily intoxicated during the commission of the offence, the complainant is 65 years old and was a vulnerable member in society.

Court also highlights the mitigating factors, where Pegoa earlier guilty plea, demonstrate genuine remorse and his accepted the consequence of his wrongs, his plea also reserves much of the resources to pay for witnesses and other allowances should this matter proceeds to trial.

He is the first-time offender, no previous conviction. His 18 years of existence he never had a brush with the law until this case.

He cooperates with the police investigation and reconciliation. Pegoa’s wife paid compensation to reconcile with the complainant’s family. The compensation consists of $2000 cash and $5,300 worth of food items and other goods, amounting to a total of $7,300. And lastly, his personal circumstance.

Taking into account the guidelines and the aggravating factors set out in the matter, balancing with the sentencing tariff and Pegoa criminal culpability, court imposed a starting point of 2 ½ years’ imprisonment.

Court gives full credit to Pegoa earlier guilty plea by removing 12 months from 2 ½ and further deduct 4 months for his other mitigating factors and personal circumstance.

Court therefore sentence Pegoa to 14 months imprisonment, 6 months to be suspended and 8month to be serve in custody.

Pegoa was charged with one count of arson and pleaded guilty on August 16, 2024.

Pegoa is 18 years old and complainant is 65 years old and are related as father and son.

On July 2, 2024 between 1pm and 2pm Pegoa willfully and unlawfully set fire to the complainant house, which was constructed with bush materials.

Pegoa been drinking since July 1, 2024 and only had just returned home the morning of July 2.

He asked his mother to request the outstanding amount of $ 400 and a shell money owned to him by his brother-in-law, as part of the compensation for impregnating his younger sister.

Court heard Pegoa was angry with his mother after she failed to bring back the $400 and a shell money from his brother-in-law.

He then set the complainant house on fire by lighting coconut leaves with a match and placed the lit coconut leaves against the wall on the outside of the house.

The complainant house was completely burned to the ground.

Sabrina Habu prosecuting and Vincent Nomae act for Pegoa.

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has sentenced Darren Maelaua who pleaded guilty for having possessing of the Police VHF radio to a fine of $2000 or in default of three months’ imprisonment.

On Friday last week, court ordered that Maelaua pay a fine of $2000 before 3pm on Jan 17 and failure to pay the fine will result in three months’ imprisonment.  

Maelaua charge for one count of possessing police property which he pleaded guilty and convicted by the court.

In delivering the sentence, court highlighted the aggravating factors which the offending itself speaks volumes of the seriousness involved. The item was found under Maelaua which belonged to the Royal Police Force, a creature created by statue whose functions are extensive and requisite to maintain peace, security and justice in the Solomon Islands.

Moreover, this particular item is assigned to Close Protection Department, a unit within the RSIPF that is tasked with the critical role of making sure of the safety and well-being of very high-profile individuals, such as the Prime Minister, and the Governor General of the country.

Matters for the mitigating factors, the earlier guilty plea, first time offender, his personal circumstances, his cooperation with the police and his faithfulness to attend to all his court hearings.

In sentencing remarks, court also highlighted the circumstance leading to this incident is a clear display of Maelaua poor judgement or ignorance and negligence. Court also emphasised his actions posed a risk to the public safety and security since that the Motorola radio could have been misused.

Court therefore starts with a starting point of $ 2,500 and added $1000 for aggravating factors and then deduct 1/3 for earlier guilty plea which is $900 and further deduct $600 for other mitigating factors. This leaves Maelaua a fine of $ 2000.

The court facts said on October 18, 2024, the defendant and another man went to Koloale Car Wash and asked a person who runs a tinting business there to tint his vehicle window glasses.

Whilst his vehicle is being tint, the defendant and the other male person who accompanied him sat at the back trailer of the vehicle.

Later, the defendant went to the passenger seat of his vehicle and took out the Police Radio handset.

He then switched on the radio and then returned it to his vehicle to recharged it because it was flat.

An informant who saw the defendant in possession of the police radio then contacted the police.

The Police Response Team Officer attended the scene at Koloale car wash and searched the defendant vehicle.

The officers then found the radio inside the defendant vehicle and identified it as a Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) radio, hence confiscate it from the defendant possession.

Police Prosecutor Smith Abuo is representing the accused and PSO for defendant.