LEONE Lesumailepanoni has been sentenced to 14 years and 10 months in prison after being found guilty of aggravated robbery in connection with a violent heist at the Alison Supermarket in Laucala Beach Estate, near Suva. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe delivered the verdict on December 22 last year, convicting the 45-year-old on three counts of aggravated robbery while acquitting him of a fourth count.
The incident occurred on December 2, 2024, when Lesumailepanoni, along with three accomplices, ambushed a taxi driver, Farid Khan, tying him up and blindfolding him before forcing him into the backseat. They then traveled to the supermarket, entering with cane knives and iron rods, and threatened customers and staff to execute their robbery.
During the chaotic scene, they stole $20,000 and a mobile phone from shopper Sushmita Narayan, who was accompanied by her parents, in addition to $1650.75 from the supermarket itself. A young trainee cashier recounted the harrowing experience of being threatened with a weapon while being coerced to open the cash register, leaving her in a state of sheer terror.
Lesumailepanoni’s prison term includes a period of 11 years and 10 months before he may be eligible for parole, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the dangers they posed to victims and the community. The sentence aims to reinforce the message that such violent acts will lead to significant legal repercussions while also underscoring the importance of safety in public spaces.
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