The man who broke into the office of the Police Commissioner last year has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison on Wednesday.
The time he spent in custody was taken into account.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika when sentencing Albert Tutua, 26, said breaking into properties is becoming a common trend developed in Honiara, where people are taking liberty to break in people’s homes, or businesses.
He said the court must send out a message to the public especially within Honiara city.
“The court has made it clear; as such a custodial sentence must be imposed.
“Whether it is a young offender, or first offender, the court always has to maintain its stance, bearing in mind the criminal climate of the time.
“A consistence approached must be taken and a message send out clear to the public that people are taking the liberty to break in other people’s house or business is expected an immediate custodial sentencing.”
Mr Seuika said the elements of deterrence must be borne in mind and applied so that at least people who are minded to do such things can at least think twice or again.
He then said Tutua has a string of previous convictions in relation to similar offences.
Mr Seuika confirmed upon the court’s record that on 11 November 2013, he imposed a custodial sentencing of three years for entering the Kukum Police Post and stole some items.
“On that time, you have promised that you will never do it again.
“Now, you stand before this court facing the same situation for sentencing for being breaking and entering into the Police Commissioner office.
“This shows that you never change or rehabilitate from the past sentencing.
“Therefore, a further deterrence sentencing is appropriate in your present case.
“I hope and pray that when you have completed serving your imprisonment sometimes in 2018, you should be a changed person.”
The starting point of four years imprisonment imposed was deducted by six months for his early guilty plea to the charge of office break-in.
Tutua broke into the Police Commissioner’s Office at the Rove Police headquarters at about 3am on 3 August 2015.
Tutua entered the premises by cutting the eastern fence, broke into a window where he got into the building and stole an external hard drive, a boot, and 50 x $50 Telekom cards.
The beak in was discovered on 7am that same day when a Police Participating Force arrived at the headquarters.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
