Court fines man $500 for failure to comply with lawful orders

The Magistrates Court in Suva has found a man guilty of one count of failure to comply with lawful orders.

The accused has been ordered to pay a fine of $500 or risk imprisonment. Vetaia Lewanavanua, 24, appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa yesterday. Lewanavanua will have to pay the fine in two-months or spend 30 days in prison.

Constable Saula Qiolevu appeared for the Police Prosecution.

The accused understood the summary of facts that was read to him. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

It is alleged the accused was walking along the junction of Princes Road and Ratu Mara Road in Suva during curfew hours.

Magistrate Daurewa told the accused that the charges were serious and that it carried a five-year jail term or a maximum fine of $10,000 or both.

The court also ordered that Lewanavanua be released on bail pending the payment of his fine.

A bail bond of $500 has been placed on the accused, not to change his address and to report to the Samabula Post Station every Saturday.

The matter will be called again on July 7, to settle the fine imposed on him. He has 28 days to appeal the ruling.

Ilaijia Ravuwai