A farmer charged with the robbery of the Alison Supermarket in Laucala Beach Estate last year has had his production order extended. Leone Lesumailepanoni appeared this morning before High Court judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere, as the court of Justice Thushara Rajasinghe was not in session.
Mr. Lesumailepanoni, along with two accomplices, allegedly committed the robbery on December 2 of the previous year. The trio reportedly tied up a taxi driver, leaving him in the boot of the vehicle, before armed with cane knives, they threatened staff and customers at the supermarket. During the incident, they allegedly stole approximately $24,000 from customer Ashwita Narayan, $100 and a handbag from Rita Reddy, and $1,650.35 from the supermarket itself.
Today, the court proceedings featured administrative matters, with Simone Seruvatu from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions expected to file remaining pretrial conference documents before the next hearing date. Mr. Lesumailepanoni’s lawyer, Shivani Narayan from the Legal Aid Commission, has yet to submit a bail application for her client. The accused remains in custody, with the case now adjourned until April 9, when it is scheduled to return to Justice Rajasinghe’s court.
This situation remains a significant example of the challenges surrounding violent crime in commercial areas, emphasizing the need for robust security measures to protect both customers and employees. With the legal proceedings ongoing, there is hope that justice will be served, reinforcing community safety and support for victims. The prompt actions of law enforcement in apprehending the suspects reflect their commitment to ensuring accountability and maintaining public safety.
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