A TWENTY-NINE old man who allegedly possessed a police VHF radio inside his vehicle in Honiara last October, will now plead to the allegation on Monday January 6.
The court was informed that Darren Maelaua has acquired a new lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office, replacing his previous lawyer from L & L Lawyers who withdrew their legal representation due to a conflict of interest.
The previous lawyer had a family relationship with one of the police officers who is a witness in the case.
Maelaua is facing one count of Possessing Police Property, contrary to section 183 (a) of the Police Act 2013.
According to the allegation, on October 18, 2024, Maelaua and another man visited the Koloale Car Wash, where they asked the owner of a tinting business to tint their vehicle’s window glasses.
While their vehicle was being tinted, Maelaua and his companion sat at the back of the vehicle.
After some time, Maelaua allegedly went to the passenger seat, took out the police radio handset, switched it on, and then returned it to his vehicle to recharge it because it was flat.
An informant who witnessed Maelaua in possession of the police radio contacted the police.
The Police Response Team officers attended the scene, searched Maelaua’s vehicle, and found the radio inside.
The police officers identified it as a Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) radio and confiscated it from Maelaua’s possession.
He was subsequently arrested and charged.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
