A MAN who pleaded guilty to brewing kwaso (homebrew) at his premises at Fishing Village, east Honiara, has been fined $10,000 on Tuesday.
Henry Saeni Junior admitted guilt to one count of restriction on making liquor. He has until 3.30pm on September 25 to pay up the fine.
Failure will result in six months jail time.
Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti also made orders for the forfeiture of the confiscated kwaso and equipment, which Saeni used to brew kwaso, to the state to be destroyed.
She imposed that sentence after considering both the mitigating and aggravating factors of Saeni’s matter.
Saeni is a first time offender.
Police prosecutor Tete Tebakota had told the court the total amount of bottles of kwaso confiscated from the accused is worth at $13,330.
And he had asked the court to impose a fine of $10,000 or more for Saeni given that brewing of kwaso is now on the rise.
Sandy Karen Timothy, who is also facing similar charge as Saeni, is currently under a warrant of arrest after she failed to turn up on the last court date.
Her warrant of arrest will be reviewed on September 28.
Two others who were also arrested by police on the same date as Timothy and Saeni were already sentenced last month in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
They were given six-month jail terms.
Saeni was arrested after police raided his home at Fishing village on 22 August this year and confiscated bottles of distilled brewed kwaso and equipment used to produce kwaso.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
