Judge gives aggravated robbers suspended sentences, chance to reform

Justice Morais said a home was a private sanctuary for a person and that people were entitled to feel safe and secure in their homes.

Three young men convicted for aggravated burglary and theft had their sentences suspended by the High court in Lautoka.

This is after the judge ruled that the trio should be given an opportunity to mend their ways and become good law abiding citizens.

Seru William Elijah Turaganivalu, 18, Moape Wara Kata, 18, and Malakai Vula Daniva Carasobu, 20 had freely and voluntarily pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated burglary and theft.

In sentencing, Justice Chamath Morais said the burglary of home must be regarded as a serious offence.

Justice Morais said a home was a private sanctuary for a person and that people were 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.

“These types of offences have increased due to the leniency they are dealt with and society now demands an unsympathetic and/or stern judicial approach on these types of offences in order to curtail them.”

Turaganivalu and Carasobu were sentenced to 31 months imprisonment while Kata was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment, suspended for four years. On October 14, 2019, at Lautoka, the trio entered the house of the victim through a window and stole $1000, a smart watch valued at $500, assorted chocolates valued at $200, Nike track pants valued at $25 and car key, all to the value of $1725.