A MAN who received a stolen mobile phone from another person at Tinge Ridge, Honiara, in March this year has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
However, the defendant Patrick Pambo,19, who had pleaded guilty to one count of receiving will be serving only eight months behind bars.
This was after Principal Magistrate, Felix Hollison, had four months suspended for 24 months because the stolen property was recovered.
“However, as I have said, he has a previous conviction for a property related offence and I think the only way for him to learn is that he must be given some jail time,” Magistrate Hollison stated in his sentencing remarks.
He said this means Pambo must serve eight months in prison for the offence that he committed.
“This, I believe will serve as a deterrence to like-minded people who prey and steal from others for their own benefit.
“Upon his release, he is bound by the terms of the partial suspension of his sentence.
“He must keep the peace and be of good behaviour during the period stated.
“In the event that he commits another offence, he shall be ordered to serve the suspended portion of the total sentence.
Magistrate Hollison further ordered that the sentence be backdated to 27 April this year when, Pambo was first remanded in custody.
Pambo was drinking alcohol with his friends on the night of 11 March 2023 at Tinge, Honiara until early the next day.
The court heard that around 2am on 12 March 2023, Pambo received a Samsung Galaxy a13 phone from another person.
Pambo and his friends were walking together along the main road when one of his friends gave him the phone.
Magistrate Hollison stated in his sentencing remarks that at that time, Pambo knew that the mobile phone had been stolen or obtained in circumstances that amounted to felony.
Bobby Harunari of Public Solicitor’s Office represented Pambo, whilst Public Prosecutor, Monica Rehomora, appeared for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
