BY MELVILLE TITIULU
A man who has pleaded guilty to counts of malicious injury and criminal trespass will know his fate on May 6 when court delivers its sentence.
The Magistrate Court yesterday heard oral and written submissions from Prosecution and Defence into the case of a man accused of causing malicious injury and criminal trespass.
Billy Buga, 35, of Fourou village, North Malaita, Malaita Province is charged with two counts.
The first count is in relation to malicious injuries contrary to section 326(1) of the Penal Code. It has a maximum penalty of two-year imprisonment.
The second count is in relation to Criminal Trespass contrary to section 189 (2) of the Penal Code. In this case, trespassing into a dwelling house which attracts a 1-year imprisonment maximum.
Mr Buga pleaded guilty to both counts of charges.
Principal Magistrate Mrs Emily Zazariko Pakoa presided over the matter when it came for sentencing yesterday.
Prosecution submits that the court should impose a custodial sentence for the defendant.
Defence on the other hand, call for a suspended sentence for the defendant.
As to the first count, it was alleged that on April 26, 2025, between 9am and 2pm, the complainant and the community of Green Valley were doing their community clean-up beside the road.
At that time, the complainant parked his car beside the road.
While they were busy doing their cleaning up, the complainant saw the defendant walking towards his car and kicked the right-side rear mirror of the complainant’s car, located on the driver’s side. It caused the glass to break into pieces.
After damaging the glass of the car, the defendant then escaped between the houses in Green Valley.
The complainant and the boys ran after the defendant, but he had already escaped. The value for the damaged glass is $1,500.
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, 2026, at around 5am, the complainant was still in her bedroom when she heard a struggling noise outside in their main living room, in their house.
The complainant’s son was sleeping in their living room when the defendant gained entry through their main door and walked straight to him and tried to steal his phone but luckily he was already awake.
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.
The complainant and her family then called the Naha Police who later arrested and charged the defendant.
Irene Mae Bosokuru from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is prosecuting the matter and Sylvia Pitamama from the Public Solicitors Office represents the defendant.
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