The police officer who took two state vehicles without authority has been fined $1, 500 on Wednesday at the Honiara Magistrates Court.
David Hermis was found guilty after a trial for taking two state vehicles without the authority of the person who looked after the vehicles on 26, September 2015.
The vehicles were the Crown car and the Advance car belonging to the Close Personal Protection Unit under the Prime Minister’s Office.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga told Hermis the vehicles he drove that night were official allocated vehicles for the transportation and protection of the Prime Minister.
“They ought to be treated with respect given the nature of the use attached to them.
“You disregarded that and drove them at those odd hours of the night without having the express permission of David Soakai as the person who in charge of them.”
Few beers were found inside the Advance car, one of which was still opened and has alcohol half filled.
Mr Aulanga told him that he was the one in carriage of that vehicle and the only inference was that he had alcohol inside that vehicle although he was not intoxicated.
He said although the offence of taking vehicle without authority has no risk to safety of person or property when this offence was committed by government employees involving the use of government vehicles, it contributes to misuse of vehicles and unnecessary wastage of fuels and public finances for private trips unrelated to official duties.
“You are a prime example of one of those who deviates or ignore to follow the rule for the use of government vehicles.
“In your case, you should report to any of your superiors that early morning to obtain their permission before you use those two vehicles.
“You disregard this and decided to drive those vehicles on the presumption that they will agree to which later turn out to be the opposite.
“In my view, your commission of the offences can be described as one which you committed without good decision making on your part.
Mr Aulanga said the current maximum penalty for this offence was increased from a fine of $200 to $3, 000 or six months imprisonment under the Penalties Miscellaneous Amendment Act.
He said this is an increase of 15 times more than the previous penalty which shows how serious our legislators have treated this offence and the need to discourage it.
Mr Aulanga told Hermis the Court’s duty is to translate that intention through the imposition of sentences.
Failure to pay up the fine by 4.30pm on August 3 will result in a three month imprisonment term.
Public Solicitor’s Lawyer Stanley Aupai represented Hermis while Public Prosecutor Elma Rizzu appeared on behalf of the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
