Magistrate Turaga Fines Ashram $300 For Disobeying Lawful Order

In sentencing, Magistrate Turaga said the accused should not waste the court’s resources and would have reached his home before 8pm if he had caught a taxi.

Nadi Magistrate Siromi Turaga yesterday convicted a 30-year-old man after he pleaded guilty to breaching curfew orders.

Abdul Ashram, a welder from Qeleloa in Nadi disobeyed the lawful order against curfew breach when he was found at Qeleloa Road at 8:17pm on April 4.

The accused was fined $300 to be paid within two months in default 30 days imrprisonment.

On the night of the incident, the accused was walking home when he was approached by the Police and questioned.

He said he was returning late from work and was on his way home.

While making oral mitigation the accused stated that he was working on that day and did not notice the time.

He said he thought that he could make it home on time by catching a taxi, however there were no taxis and he had to walk home.

The accused sought the court’s forgiveness and submitted that he was the sole breadwinner of his family of four.

In sentencing, Magistrate Turaga said the accused should not waste the court’s resources and he would have reached his home before 8pm if he had caught a taxi.

“I note that the COVID-19 has undermined economies of the nation states and one of direct effects is closure of work places and increased rate of unemployment. Fortunately, for this accused, he has a job to meet the needs of his family. He said he is a sole breadwinner in the family. The court will not be harsh during these difficult times.”

Magistrate Turaga said the purpose of the sentence is to rehabilitate the accused and to teach him to respect the law at all times.

Fortunately, for this accused, he has a job to meet the needs of his family. He said he is a sole breadwinner in the family. The court will not be HArsH DurING tHEsE DIFfiCuLt tIMEs. Magistrate Siromi Turaga Magistrate in Nadi