BY ROMINAH FAKA
The court has remanded a 14-year-old juvenile in custody in relation to multiple charges, during a hearing held on Friday last week.
The prosecution applied for the remand on the grounds of re-offending, ongoing investigations and the risk of absconding. It was submitted that the juvenile poses a high risk of re-offending and fleeing, as he does not have a fixed or permanent address.
The defendant has been charged with one count of larceny from another person, one count of burglary and one count of escaping lawful custody.
The first incident, involving larceny from another person, allegedly occurred on 30 May 2025 at Skyline Road.
According to police, the complainant, a Chinese national was returning from the Memorial when he was stopped along Skyline Road by the defendant and a group of other boys, who were refilling the road with ground. The group demanded money from the complainant. While he was distracted, the juvenile allegedly approached the backdoor of the vehicle, opened the back door, and stole a bag from inside.
The stolen bag reportedly contained a laptop, SBD $2,500, FJD $250, and other personal documents. Police later recovered only the laptop, SBD $150, and FJD $60.
The second incident occurred on 31 May 2025, the day after the first offence, at Koa Hill. The juvenile allegedly stole a bilum bag containing SBD $1,000 and various bank documents, including an NPF card.
On 3 June 2025, police arrested the defendant and took him to the Central Police Station. However, he escaped from custody later that day. He was rearrested that same evening at Mamana Wata and subsequently remanded on Friday last week.
The matter has been adjourned to 20 June 2025 for mention.
John Saugaro from police prosecution department remanded the defendant.
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