The trial for two men accused of robbing a 57-year-old woman and her disabled son is set to take place over the next two weeks, starting today. Mosese Vuniwai and Jashneel Pillay face a charge of aggravated robbery related to an incident that allegedly took place on January 22 of last year.
The charges state that the two men, along with a third co-accused who has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, broke into the victims’ bedroom while they were asleep around midnight. During the incident, one of the men reportedly covered the woman’s mouth with one hand while holding a cane knife to her neck, preventing her from calling for help, while the other men searched the house for valuables.
The three suspects attempted to escape in a vehicle but were caught by police. Mr. Vuniwai appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu in the High Court in Suva on September 4, but Mr. Pillay did not attend, leading to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest, as he was not found in any remand facilities. The third suspect, Joseva Tuidama, has already pleaded guilty and received a sentence of five years and four months, with a non-parole period of four years, on November 10 last year.