Sokia gets two years jail time for burglary, theft

An unemployed man of Nabua was sentenced to two years imprisonment yesterday for one count each of burglary and theft.

Viliame Nayate Sokia, 22, was alleged to have entered the complainant’s home as a trespasser on April 21, 2017 with the intent to commit theft.

On that same day Sokia stole a bracelet worth $120 and $95 in cash.

The facts of the case reveal that on the day of the offence at about 4:30pm at Muslim League Settlement the victim had locked up his home to go training.

Upon returning home he found his pooja place had been ransacked. A neighbour saw the accused standing outside his home and told the victim who knew the accused. Some of the stolen items were also found at the accused’s home. Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa found that Sokia’s guilty plea was voluntary and unequivocal and convicted him accordingly.

In mitigation Sokia said he was supporting his parents and confessed

that he had learnt his lesson while he was in remand. Magistrate Boseiwaqa said the summary of facts did not indicate any prior planning and that the offence was spontaneous. The court found that there were no aggravating factors.

Sokia was sentenced to two years imprisonment for burglary and three months imprisonment for theft and ordered to serve his sentence concurrently. Magistrate Boseiwaqa said Sokia’s latest conviction dated May 2, 2016 suggested that the accused was not ready to be released among the community and that a longer rehabilitation term would be appropriate. He was given 28 days to appeal.