A young man who broke into the office of the Wings Mini Mart shop in Honiara has been sentenced to 15 months in prison on Wednesday.
Peter Kaikai, 21, and his two associates broke into the Wings Mini Mart shop between 10pm and 10.30pm on 29 December last year.
They were however interrupted by security officers, which resulted in the arrest of Kaikai while his two associates escaped.
Properties stolen were recovered.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of office break-in which carries the maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
In mitigation the court was asked to consider Kaikai’s personal circumstances that he is a 21 year-old and lives with his uncle in Central Honiara.
Both his parents are in the province.
The defence counsel had asked the court to consider his client’s early guilty plea, that he is deeply remorseful of his actions, and he promise that he will be a reform young person if a chance was given to him.
Prosecution however asked the court to consider the seriousness of this offence which is reflected from its maximum penalty, that the offence was committed by a group of men who were armed with a pinch bar.
Prosecution also submitted that it is a felony that has premeditated among the accused and his associates, they were armed with a pinch bar and venture at night indicated quite obviously that the offence committed.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika however said since breaking into other people’s properties is becoming a common trend, the court must send out a message to the public.
A starting point of two years was imposed.
Mr Seuika then reduced nine months to reflect the accused’s early guilty plea and for being a young offender.
The sentence was ordered to be backdated to when Kaikai was first placed in custody.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
