The High Court in Lautoka has ordered the release of three men following a reduction in their sentences connected to a 2015 aggravated robbery case. Semi Ralulu, Savenaca Cava, and Ratu Inoke Nauarabota were originally sentenced to nine and a half years in prison in January 2018. They appealed their sentence three years later, arguing that it was excessively harsh.
In a ruling on October 17, Justice Riyaz Hamza stated, “The learned Magistrate has not provided any reasons as to why he selected a starting point of 10 years imprisonment in respect of each appellant.” He concluded that the Magistrate made an error in sentencing by selecting a tariff of eight to 16 years imprisonment.
As a result, the sentence handed down by the Magistrate’s Court of Ba on January 10, 2018, has been quashed. Justice Hamza has imposed new sentences, with Semi Ralulu receiving a term of five years and 11 months, while Savenaca Cava and Ratu Inoke Nauarabota will serve five years and eight months. The three men are to be released immediately.
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