Only son gets suspended jail time for attempted burglary

A24-year-old construction worker was sentenced to one year in jail on Thursday after he was convicted for attempted burglary. The Suva Magistrate Court heard that on August 3 this year accused Yabaki Tikoisuva attempted to break into Quality Prints in Walu Bay. Tikoisuva pleaded guilty to the charge of his own free will.

“I am satisfied that your plea is voluntary and unequivocal. You are convicted as charged,” Magistrate Deepika Prakash said while sentencing Tikoisuva. In mitigation the accused said he was single and earned $150 per week. He sought forgiveness from the Court and promised not to reoffend. Tikoisuva also said he was the sole breadwinner and only son in his family and that he was looking after his parents.

During sentencing, Magistrate Prakash took a starting point of two years imprisonment.

“This Court wishes to by imposing stern sentence show that the Court will protect the public from people like you, who have less regard for others property and belongings and send out a message that people like you will be strictly dealt with by the Court,” Magistrate Prakash said. No aggravating factors were noted. Magistrate Prakash sentenced the accused to one year imprisonment and suspended it for three years. The accused was warned that if he reoffended within the next three years his one year prison term would then be activated.