BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
One of four men from Tasman, PNG, has been sent to prison for illegal entry into the country without the prime minister’s exemption.
Thomas Poraka was charged with three others for illegal entry under the covid-19 regulations.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea yesterday said the accused with the others, who are yet to have their cases dealt with, entered SI territory at Pelau Islands between 7am to 8am on December 26, 2020.
DCM Iomea said when approached by police officers at Ontong Java, the accused did not have a valid PNG passport or an exemption from the PM to enter Solomon Islands border, the accused was then arrested at that time and was charged with illegal entry.
Iomea said considering all the circumstances surrounding the case and also the status of the accused being unemployed and having no relatives in the Solomon Islands, the court imposes a sentence of six months on the accused as his penalty for entering country illegally.
He said the accused will be unable to pay the fine and so six months jail is appropriate for the case.
Iomea also said the sentence will be backdated to the time the accused was placed in custody. Meanwhile the other three accused Lester Kapua, Frensly Keapu and Steven Atoka their case will be mentioned again in court on April 9 for possible re-arraignment
