BY MELVILLE TITIULU
Two juveniles who plead guilty to obstructing police officers during New Year patrols in West Honiara will learn their fate when the Magistrate’s Court delivers sentencing on May 4.
The 17-year-old male and 16-year-old female, whose identities are withheld for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of Obstructing a Police Officer in the Due Execution of Duty under section 247(b) of the Penal Code.
The offence attracts a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
The matter came about as a result of an incident on January 1, 2026, where police patrol vehicles were blocked by burning rubbish at Tasahe Area before they were pelted with stones by the two juveniles.
Witnesses later identified the two juveniles among those attacking the convoy, forcing officers to withdraw and disrupt patrol operations in White River and Tasahe.
Principal Magistrate Joyceth Paile presided over the matter, when it came for sentencing on Monday, April 27.
Prosecutor Gabriel Maefiri, in his oral submissions in court, argued that the attack was deliberate, sustained, and carried out under the cover of darkness.
Mr Maefiri stressed that the victims were police officers performing lawful duties during a festive period when public reliance on police protection was at its highest. The disruption, he said, endangered community safety.
Mr Maefiri further told the court that, given that both defendants are juveniles, he submits that the sentence imposed must reflect the gravity of this offence, serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to obstruct police officers in the execution of their duty, and, where appropriate, provide for the rehabilitation of these young defendants.
“The court’s careful balancing of these objectives will ensure that justice is served in this matter,” he said.
Defence counsel Jason Anisi urged the court to impose a suspended sentence, citing the defendants’ youth, early guilty pleas, and time already spent in custody.
Mr Anisi highlighted that the female juvenile has been remanded since January due to bail issues, while the male was held for two weeks before release.
Defence Counsel also submits that the courts should take into account the very fact that juveniles should be treated differently from other offenders when it comes to sentencing. Thus, calls for a suspended sentence in the form of a discharge for the offenders.
Mr Anisi was of the view that the criminal justice system almost took 4 months to deal with the two juveniles.
The court adjourned the matter to May 4 at 9:30 am for sentencing judgment.
Bail and remand conditions were extended for both juveniles.
Mr Gabriel Maefiri is prosecuting the case and he represents the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Jason Anisi from the Public Solicitors Office represents the defendants.
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