Labasa cousins jailed for burglary, theft

Melvin is a 19-year-old student of Nakama, Labasa and Rishnil is a 20-year-old delivery boy of Wailevu, Labasa

Two cousins charged with one count of aggravated burglary and one count of theft were sentenced to 32 months imprisonment by the High Court in Labasa on Monday.

But three months of this has been suspended.

Melvin Chand and Rishnil Chand appeared before Judge Justice Chamath Morais.

On June 2, 2018 in Labasa the two dishonestly appropriated cash of approximately $250, one Acer brand laptop valued at $1000, one HP brand laptop valued at $800 and one CCTV camera screen valued at $500.

All goods to the total value of approximately $2,550 belonged to Umesh Chand.

The court heard that the 39-yearold complainant is a market vendor and was related to Melvin as an uncle.

He was with his wife selling goods at the Labasa market when the two broke into his house.

Melvin is a 19-year-old student of Nakama, Labasa and Rishnil is a 20-year-old delivery boy of Wailevu, Labasa.

The court heard that the two voluntarily pleaded guilty. Justice Morais said burglary of homes must be regarded a serious offence.

“A home is a private sanctuary for a person,” Justice Morais said.

“People are entitled to feel safe and secure in their homes. “Any form of criminal intrusion of privacy and security of people in their homes must be dealt with condign punishment to denounce the conduct and deter others.”

He said accordingly, their final aggregate sentence was an imprisonment term of 32 months. The duo had spent 16 days in remand.

In lieu of that Justice Morais deducted one month from each of their final sentences.

He told them that the remainder they had to serve would be 31 months.

Both accused have no previous convictions or pending cases. On the other hand, Judge Morais said these kind of offences have drastically increased due to leniency when they were dealt with. “However, in consideration of the submissions made on your behalf, I am of the view the majority of your term should be suspended,” he said. “Therefore each of you should serve three months from the sentence and the remainder of 28 months is suspended for a period of five years.”