Alcohol theft accused released on bail
A MAN accused of stealing a carton of premix alcohol from the Umi Kaban Liqour shop at Kukum on November 25 during the unrest in Honiara has been released on bail.
The 23 year-old was released on a cash bail of $500 and a principal bail of $500 attached with strict bail conditions yesterday afternoon.
He is facing one count of behave in riotous manner and one count of simple larceny.
The court heard he was ready to take his plea yesterday to the first count.
However, since prosecution had just filed the second charge, his lawyer asked for more time to obtain instructions for plea on that charge.
The accused is charged in relation to the alleged incident on 25 November.
It was alleged he joined a mob of people who looted and burnt shops and business houses at Ranadi, east Honiara that day.
He then joined the mob on foot heading towards Kukum, where they looted the Umi Kaban Liqour shop at Kukum.
The accused was said to have stolen a cartoon of Saratoga premix.
He is due in court again on 28 January 2022.
Alleged arsonist dad back in court, Jan 5
THE man accused of setting fire to his son’s dwelling house over Beche-de-mer row at Gela last month, will return to court again January 5 next year.
John Hugusi, 69, appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court this week intending to vary some of his bail conditions.
This is to enable him to travel to Gela for the festive season.
One of his bail conditions restricted him to travel out of Guadalcanal Province.
However, Hugusi decided not to pursue the application for the bail variation which means he will be spending the festive season in Honiara.
His matter was therefore adjourned to next year.
Hugusi is facing one count of arson.
This is in relation to an allegation on 13 November at Longapolo village in Small Gela.
Prosecution alleged that on 3pm on that day, he went to his son’s dwelling house with a container containing petrol and poured the petrol in the house.
He then allegedly struck a handle matches and set the house on fire.
The incident happened following an argument between the accused and his son over Beche-de-mer which created frustration to the accused who then decided to burn his son’s house.
The house was burnt including all properties belonging to the alleged victim and his family.
Firearm case awaits forensic report from Aust
PROSECUTION are still waiting for the forensic analysis report from Australia regarding a firearm that was found in the possession of a man at Ranadi this year.
Peter Carlos Kwaitaka, 23, is facing one count of possession of firearm without Firearm Licence.
He appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court yesterday and his matter was adjourned to 4 January 2022.
The adjournment was made after Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite consolidated his file with the file of Iro Kwaita.
This means that they will be appearing together as co-accused in this matter.
Kwaita appeared in court last week where a bail application was made for him, on which, the court granted him bail.
The prosecutor yesterday told the court that they are still waiting for the forensic report from Australia regarding the firearm.
She also yesterday served disclosures to Kwaitaka’s lawyer.
The court also heard a bail application will be made for Kwaitaka on the next court date.
Kwaitaka was allegedly arrested after he was found in the possession of a firearm between September and November this year.
The firearm was said to be owned by Kwaita and at that time it was found in Kwaitaka’s possession, he was in the process of cleaning and oiling the firearm.
