The High Court in Lautoka has ordered the release of three men after reducing their sentences in connection with an aggravated robbery case from 2015. Semi Ralulu, Savenaca Cava, and Ratu Inoke Nauarabota, who were each sentenced to nine and a half years in January 2018, appealed their sentences three years later, arguing that the terms were too harsh.
In his ruling on October 17, Justice Riyaz Hamza noted that the original magistrate failed to provide justification for selecting a starting sentence of 10 years imprisonment for each appellant. Justice Hamza indicated that the magistrate had made an error in calculating the sentencing range of eight to 16 years.
The prior sentence from the Magistrate’s Court of Ba on January 10, 2018, has been quashed. Justice Hamza imposed new sentences of five years and 11 months for Semi Ralulu, and five years and eight months for both Savenaca Cava and Ratu Inoke Nauarabota. All three men are to be released immediately.
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