Damusi and Su’u to appear in court
TWO alleged leaders of the now defunct Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) and Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) will be appearing in court on Monday in relation to a planned burning of Mamara Housing Estate Development Building and attacks on other state-owned properties in May this year.
Fifty-three year old John Damusi and Moses Su’u are both facing charges of Conspiracy to Commit Arson Contrary to Sections 383 and 319 of the Penal Code.
Both men, who were alleged to be leaders of the former militants of IFM and MEF are accused of planning to burn down the Mamara Housing Estate Development Building and attacking other state-owned properties on 15th May this year.
Their matter was listed for plea yesterday but Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi had adjourned all matters yesterday to Monday next week.
Prosecution alleged that the defendants facilitated several meetings with former MEF and IFM militants.
The meetings were allegedly to discuss the grievances of the former militants – their displeasure with former governments and current government for prolonging the addressing of their rehabilitation claims.
During the meetings, it was alleged that the group discussed several action plans to destroy and damage by fire critical infrastructures owned by the state.
However, their plans did not eventuate and shortly later, police arrested, charged, and remanded Damusi following the allegations.
Su’u was arrested and charged later.
Public Solicitor’s lawyer Lazarus Waroka and the Public Solicitor George Gray represent the two defendants whilst Mary- Anne Zurenuoc from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting.
By Assumpta Buchanan
Newsroom, Honiara.
Dad convicted of incest offences, awaits sentence
A FATHER of five who was convicted of incest charges dating back to 2014 when his daughter was only 13-years-old is now awaiting his sentence in the High Court.
The 54-year-old man who cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughter was convicted after a trial of eight counts of incest.
The oral sentencing submissions and mitigation in this matter should have been done on Thursday before the presiding Judge Ronald Bei Talasasa Jnr.
However, given that the defence counsel was not present, Judge Talasasa Jnr had to adjourn the matter to December 12.
Judge Talasasa Jnr also ordered that failure by the defence counsel to turn up on that date will result in an arrest warrant issued for him.
The defendant was found guilty of incest offences he committed on his daughter on eight different occasions 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 2019 2020 and 2021.
The complainant was 13-years-old when the first incident occurred in 2014 when the defendant was 45-years-old.
The incidents occurred in parts of Guadalcanal where the accused who was a teacher at that time was posted. He also committed the offence while in Honiara.
The defendant committed the offences when no one was present or he would take the complainant to discreet locations.
Allan Tinoni of Public Solicitor’s office represents the defendant whilst the Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Kelesi and Prosecutor Samuel Tovosia is appearing for the Crown.
By Assumpta Buchanan
Newsroom, Honiara.
Town Ground manslaughter sentence defers
THE sentencing of a man who stabbed to death a 21-year-old at the Town Ground area, West Honiara in July last year has been deferred by the High Court.
John Konge is awaiting his sentence after he pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
His sentence was scheduled to be delivered yesterday before Judge Ronald Bei Talasasa but it was adjourned to Monday next week.
Konge will be sentenced for stabbing a 21-year-old man with a small knife on 9th July 2022.
Before the incident, Konge slapped his girlfriend and when his girlfriend’s relatives saw what he did they chased him. The deceased was among the group that chased Konge.
Public Solicitor’s lawyer Lazarus Waroka represents Konge while Public Prosecutor Hellen Naqu is appearing for the Crown.
By Assumpta Buchanan
Newsroom, Honiara.
