Man in remand after verbal threat

A man who allegedly verbally threatened two Police officers was produced in the Nasinu Magistrates Court on Monday.

The accused, Maika Rokodrakia, allegedly threatened the two officers with the intention to cause them harm on February 3 this year by uttering the words “Au na vakamatei kemudrau. Au na qai kania na utomudrau.”

When literally translated into English it would read: “I will kill you both and eat your heart.”

The accused’s right to counsel was put to him in court but he chose to represent himself.

Police prosecutor Constable Ronil Ram requested for the accused’s case could be transferred to the Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili so that the accused could be referred for psychiatric evaluation. Magistrate Charles Ratakele saw no cause to send the accused for psychiatric evaluation and remanded the accused, pending a formal bail application.

Magistrate Ratakele adjourned the case to February 9, 2018 for the accused’s bail to be decided. bags of long grain rice and a bag of garlic all valued at $87. The food items belonged to the FNU catering school.

The court heard that the accused was employed as the university’s storeman and was responsible for the safe custody of food stock required by the catering school. The accused had gone to the catering school on a Saturday and was seen taking the items from the cooler before leaving the premises in his car.

The chief security officer at the property stopped Kumar at the gate and the stolen items were found in the car boot.

In his evidence, the accused maintained that the food items belonged to him as he had bought it from the same suppliers who supplied food to the school.

While sentencing Kumar, Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage took in account the seriousness of the offence in that he had stolen from his employer.

The court also noted that the accused was a first offender and was remorseful for his actions. Magistrate Liyanage warned Kumar that he would be charged if he reoffended within that time frame. In addition the accused was ordered to pay a fine of $100 in default of 10 days imprisonment.

He has 28 days to appeal his sentence. confirm this.

However, he was told that the second count was not a reconcilable offence.

Police Prosecutor Constable Setareki Mocevakaca served the accused with full phase disclosures.

He also informed Magistrate George that the accused was a first offender.

The accused stated that he was not related to the complainant and that he lived in Yanuca Village, Serua.

He was advised to file a formal bail application in the Nasinu Magistrates Court on February 14 and was remanded in custody until then.