Man admits robbery charge
A man charged with aggravated robbery has been told by the High Court to seek Legal Aid assistance. Meli Kenawa appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar this week and the charge was read to him.
It is alleged that on May 25, 2018, at Laqere, Nasinu, Kenawa with others robbed Vikash Nand of his Samsung mobile phone, eTicketing bus card and BSP ATM card, all on the total value of $360.
He told the court that he understood the charge and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Kenawa told the court that the mobile phone and BSP ATM card were recovered and returned to the Mobile Police Station at Makoi, Nasinu.
State lawyer Kimberly Semisi told the court that Kenawa was a firsttime offender.
Justice Goundar told the State lawyer to prepare for mitigation. Kenawa was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned so he could retake his plea on July 10. week on four different files.
For the first file, he is charged with two counts each of rape and sexual assault.
For the second file, he is charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecently insulting any person and indecent assault.
For the third file, he is charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault.
For the fourth file, he is charged with three counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
All the complainants are under the age of 13.
The alleged incidents happened in 2015, 2016 and 2017 on Kadavu. The grandfather was represented by a Legal Aid Commission lawyer while the State was represented by Kimberly Semisi from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Semisi told the court that the four complainants’ statements were recorded in the iTaukei language in Kadavu.
She told the court that the file was sent back to Kadavu to be completed and resent to the ODPP because more information had to be added to file in court.
Ms Semini asked for 21 days to file all the information and disclosures.
Justice Goundar told the prosecution to file all the information and disclosures on August 10.
The man will appear for all four matters before Justice Goundar for plea on August 14.