Justice Temo labels robbery trio as cowardly attackers

High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo, on Monday labelled three men as cowardly attackers for violently robbing three elderly persons in 2017 at Bau Road, Nausori.

Arvind Chand, Jonetani Rokotuinasau and Livai Drigita were sentenced for a series of aggravated robberies, burglary and theft. Chand and Drigita were present in court during trial and sentencing while a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Rokotuinasau. On November 15, the three men robbed the first complainant of his mobile phone and $110 cash. They used a pinch bar to attack the complainant.

On the same day, the three robbed the second complainant of her assorted jewellery, laptop and mobile phone valued at $7460.

They then entered into the house of the third complainant as trespassers. They stole pairs of canvas valued at $700.

While sentencing Chand, Rokotuinasau and Drigita, Justice Temo said: “Your modus operandi were similar. You broke into the complainants houses when they were fast asleep, stole their properties then fled when confronted. “Your attacks on the elderly complainants were cowardly and will not be tolerated by the courts.

“Thus you should not complain when given custodial sentence. “As a group you attacked vulnerable complainants, that is, husband, wives, and children, when they were asleep in their homes. “You showed no regard to their rights as human beings, no regard for their personal safety and no regard to property rights,” Justice Temo said.

Chand was sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 years effective forthwith. Rokotuinasau was sentenced to 13 years and two months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 years effective from day of his arrest.

Drigita was sentenced to 13 years and two months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 years effective forthwith.

Justice Temo said pursuant to Section 4 (1) of the Sentencing and Penalties Act 2009, the sentence was designed to punish the three men in a manner that was just in all the circumstances, to protect the community from people like them, to deter other would-be offenders.

It will also signify that the court and the community denounce what the three men did to these complainants at Bau Road. The three men were given 30 days to appeal. Edited by Percy Kean