SEVENTEEN adults who pleaded guilty to breaching the curfew on November 26 at Ranadi, East of Honiara were sentenced to prison on Monday.
They were sentenced after pleading guilty to the charge of restriction of movement of persons in Honiara.
Sixteen of them aged between 20 and 48 were sent to prison for one year in jail while a 19 year-old was sentenced to eight months in jail.
Three juveniles were who also charged with these 17 adults were already sentenced last week.
They were fined $500 and were placed on a good behaviour bond for one year in the sum of $1,000.
All 20 accused were arrested after police sighted them moving around the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) area and Telekom roundabout between 7pm and 8pm on November 26.
An indefinite curfew was imposed by the Prime Minister that was effective as of November 26 from 7pm to 6am the next day.
The curfew was issued following the three days of unrest in Honiara city that resulted in the looting, arson and destruction of business houses and shops.
The unrest followed a protest staged by a group of people from Malaita who were unhappy with the Prime Minister for neglecting their province and over allegation of corruption.
In his remarks at that time, Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison said the lockdown and curfew regulations were made for the preservation of public safety in Honiara aimed at curbing the riots, burning and looting of shops and other private businesses.
He had also stated that the riots and looting between 24th and 26th of November had resulted in the scorching of more than 50 buildings and destruction of business houses.
The total loss in which Mr Hollison took judicial notice of is the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) report which stated that the minimum loss is more than SBD 200,000. 00 (200 million),” added.
Mr Hollison said many business people which include foreigners, Solomon Islanders who are of Asian origin and indigenous people were rendered homeless because of these senseless and inhuman actions.
He further added that lives were sadly lost, thus, disobeying the lockdown or curfew regulations following the past week riots should be treated as more serious than the usual lock downs or curfews.
“These events had caused fear to the investors, business owners, and members of the public which must be condemned.
“The fact that the defendants along with the adult defendants were found together at Ranadi shows that they do not have any respect for the rule of law and they had taken advantage of the situation thinking that they would not be arrested.”
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
