A married father of four, Ratu Osea Verekawa, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of burglary and theft. Verekawa, 27, admitted to breaking into Katalaina Kuilamu’s home in September and stealing items valued over $1,500, including a television. After failing to sell the stolen TV, he left it at a camp house, where authorities later recovered it. Verekawa attempted to evade capture during a police raid at his residence shortly after the crime.
Justice Lee James Burney made a strong note about the seriousness of burglary during the sentencing, emphasizing its profound impact on victims’ psychological, emotional, and financial well-being. “Everyone should feel secure in their own homes,” he stated, underscoring the importance of safety and security within one’s living space. This conviction follows Verekawa’s previous indictment for similar offenses last year, for which he served eight months and 25 days in prison.
In a separate case, a former resort housekeeper received a six-month suspended sentence for assaulting a sleeping foreign national. The man was involved in a July incident where the victim, upon awakening, found him in her room. In an altercation, she managed to grab his shirt, but he struck her before escaping. Despite pleading guilty to the assault, he denied charges of rape.
Legal proceedings also continue for a former accountant at the Fiji Rugby Union, Pawan Deo, and his wife, Subhashni Mudaliar, who have been charged with conspiracy to defraud. The couple is accused of illegally obtaining $53,788.75 from the Fiji Rugby Union during a period stretching from February to May 2022. Their case has been adjourned until February 18, 2024.
Additionally, the High Court in Labasa acquitted Viliame Bitu of arson charges related to a fire at a Fiji Pine Ltd commercial plantation. Justice Burney ruled there was insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, noting poor identification by the prosecution’s sole witness, Bitu’s uncle. The judge expressed concern over the quality of the evidence presented, advocating for responsible use of judicial resources in future prosecutions.
These cases highlight ongoing issues of crime and justice within the community, reflecting the legal system’s efforts to address and manage such matters while ensuring fairness in the courtroom.
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