FOUR family members accused of stealing valuable items and goods from shops and business houses in East Honiara during last November’s unrest will return to court on Wednesday.
The mother, father and their two sons aged 21 and 17 are expected to make their plea to the simple larceny charges against them during their court appearance tomorrow.
The family were arrested by police on 5 December 2021.
This was after police recovered the stolen properties they hid inside a chicken house beside their dwelling house at Abira, Panatina, East Honiara.
The father and the two sons were initially remanded in custody after they were charged and appeared before the Honiara Magistrates Court, only the mother was released on police bail because she is still breast feeding her baby.
They were later released on bail – the 17-year-old son was released on a cash bail of $500 while the father and the elder son were each released on a cash bail of $1000.
Prosecution alleged the family members stole the properties between 24 November and 26 November 2021 from Low Price Enterprises shop, Bishop Brothers, Island Enterprises and Power Products at Ranadi.
The stolen properties include Stihl products and tools, boots and shoes, carton of cigarettes, bags of rice and other goods.
Honiara went through three days of unrest from 24 November to 26 November 2021 which saw business houses and shops looted, destroyed and burnt.
The Bank of South Pacific, the Kukum Traffic Centre and the office complex at Honiara High School were among properties burnt during the unrest.
The unrest followed a protest by a group of people from Malaita who were unhappy with the Prime Minister over claims of corruption and neglecting their province.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
