BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Central Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a young man to five months’ imprisonment after he stole and abandoned a police vehicle during a traffic operation late last year.
On Wednesday, April 29, Principal Magistrate Michael Fagani handed down the sentence against 23‑year‑old John Tuhenua of Lavangu village, Rennell and Bellona Province.
The offender faced three charges: simple larceny under section 261(1) of the Penal Code, driving without a licence under section 20(1) of the Road Transport Act, and reckless and dangerous driving under section 39 of the same Act. He pleaded guilty to all counts.
The offences stemmed from an incident on November 8, 2025, when police officers were conducting a random breath testing operation at Florence Young Junction.
To prevent vehicles from turning away from the checkpoint, officers parked their marked police vehicle, registration number N0‑G4949, on the roadside with its siren lights activated.
According to the police prosecution, the offender, who appeared intoxicated, walked across the road towards a shop before later returning between 1am and 1:30am.
He unlawfully entered the unattended police vehicle and sped off at high speed, ignoring officers’ attempts to stop him. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned in a drain at Kombevatu.
The offender eventually surrendered himself voluntarily after relatives contacted the police. Investigations confirmed he did not hold a valid driver’s licence.
Mrs. Betrina Madeo of the Police Prosecutions Department emphasised the danger posed by Mr Tuhenua’s reckless actions, particularly the theft of a police vehicle during an active traffic operation.
Defence lawyer Ronald Dive argued for a non‑custodial sentence, citing the offender’s early guilty plea, lack of serious harm, first‑time offender status, and his prospects of reform as a student at the USP-SI Campus.
Mr Dive suggested alternatives such as a good behaviour bond, a fine, or a suspended sentence.
However, Principal Magistrate Fagani ruled that the seriousness of the offences warranted imprisonment. He imposed five months for stealing the Police vehicle and one month each for the driving offences, but ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
The offender will serve five months at the Rove Correctional Centre.
Mrs. Betrina Madeo of the Police Prosecutions Department (PPD) prosecuted the matter, and Private Lawyer, Mr Ronald Dive of Ronlaw represented the offender.
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