* Man jailed for intimidating former girlfriend
* Former SFA accountant’s sentence, June 7
* Murder committal hearing on Friday
Man jailed for intimidating former girlfriend
A MAN who admitted intimidating his former girlfriend last month at Henderson, East Honiara has been sentenced to four months in prison this week.
Livae Pema was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of intimidation.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite in his sentencing remarks said there is a clear need for men to respect women in our communities today.
“As men, we cannot expected to be respected, if we do not show respect to our women, and equally to those whom we share relationship with,” Magistrate Chite said.
He said aggression or violence is not the way forward, because two wrongs don’t make a right, instead two wrongs aggravate any situation and will lead to regretful outcomes, as demonstrated in the accused’s case.
“No care attitude has no place in our communities, and those who intend to employ it will find themselves journey bound to this court.
“I strongly urge all men to render total care and respect to our women, as we lead to set good examples to our young generations,” Magistrate Chite added.
He said regardless of what gender, title, race, status or age; every citizen ought to treat one another with respect and dignity.
“Our country’s constitution, under its preamble, recognizes that we are a Christian nation, it is time that we put to practice the principles set out in the holy bible, as we do the same to the rule of law.”
Pema committed the offence on 20 June this year at the Fighter One area at Henderson, East of Honiara.
It was heard the victim who accompanied her little cousin sister to attend a church activity met the Pema on their way to church.
Pema then told her to leave the little kid and return to him and if not he will shoot their house.
The victim upon hearing what Pema told her went quickly went to church and at church her cousin sister cried for ice block.
It was heard the victim had to return home to get money and on her way back to church she met Pema again who told her to return to him and if not he will kill her with a knife.
At that time Pema pointed a knife at her.
The victim was frightened and later reported what had happened to her uncle.
Her uncle called Pema to his house and asked him if what the victim said was true.
Pema admitted it and further stated in a threatening voice that if they want to report him to the police then they should report him.
His lawyer had submitted in court that the accused did the offence to win back the victim, after he claimed she left him for another man.
Magistrate Chite said he does not see this as a way to use aggression, rather the victim has all the right to choose who she wishes to remain with.
He said there is nothing to suggest Pema was provoked, and even if there was a relationship, which of course is unclear, Pema should not use relationship “break up” as a justification to argue provocation.
“The evidence is silent as to whether the victim had boasted about her new relationship, or was with a man, or action that would establish provocation.
“From defence’s submission, he only heard rumours that she will marry a man from Malaita which has erupted rage and anger.”
Magistrate Chite said Pema has learned his lesson the hard way, he must take this lesson to heart, and to refrain from such attitude in the future.
The four months imprisonment imposed was ordered to be back dated to when Pema was first remanded in custody.
Former SFA accountant’s sentence, June 7
SENTENCE for the former accountant of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) who stole more than $100,000 from the Association in 2016 and 2017 will be delivered on Monday next week.
Patrick Soesi Maelaua, 46, has been convicted of six counts of larceny by servant after a trial.
He was tried for 13 counts of larceny by servant involving more than $370,000.
However, he was acquitted of seven counts of larceny by servant.
This was after three prosecution witnesses who were bank tellers from the Pan Oceanic Bank (POB) were unable to identify Maelaua as the person who presented seven of the 13 cheques.
Only one of the bank tellers’ who was prosecution witness number 1 (PW1) was able to identify Maelaua as the person who presented six cheques to him.
PWI had told the court that Patrick worked at the Solomon Islands Forest Association and recognised him as one who usually went to cash the cheques and collected bank statements.
Deputy Chief Magistrate, Ricky Iomea in his judgment said PWI also identified Maelaua in court.
He said when PWI confirmed under cross-examination that although the names changed, the same person presented the cheques.
It was heard that the defence in cross examination suggested to PWI that he should have stopped Maelaua when he came but with different name on one of the cheques. But PWI said if he stopped and he goes back to their office, they would not be happy that he refused the transaction.
PWI told the court that Maelaua was SFA’s accountant so he would not stop the transaction because the Bank maintains trust with its clients and added the reason Maelaua changed his name was a matter for him.
It was also put to him that it was their procedure to ring back when details are not correct and that he did not do so on that day, PWI agreed.
Mr Iomea said he had observed the manner in which PWI gave his evidence and he was convinced he is an honest, reliable and credible witness.
“I am also satisfied that the fact the defendant changed his names when presenting some of the cheques to PWI reflects the fraudulent intend of the defendant and his intention to permanently deprive the owner –SFA.”
Prosecution witness number five and number six who were two of the four signatory to the Solomon Islands Forest Association with POB also testified in court.
They had confirmed in court that they did not sign any of the cheques.
Mr Iomea after hearing their evidences said he was satisfied that whoever signed those cheques forged the signatures of PW5 and PW6 on the 13 cheques.
However, Mr Iomea had Maelaua acquitted of seven of the 13 counts of larceny by servant after three bank tellers were unable to confirm the identity of Maelaua as the person who actually presented the seven cheques.
Murder committal hearing on Friday
A LONG Form Preliminary Inquiry (LFPI) will be conducted on the matter of one of the eight men accused of the death of a man on Utupua Island, Temotu Province tomorrow.
Michael Mupio, 35, has opted to for the long form preliminary inquiry to be conducted on his matter.
The hearing on Friday will see witness or witnesses being called to the witness box to give evidence.
Mupio’s co-accused Ishmael Nipwae, 54, Nickson Kabitene, 47, Hendry Roto, 60, Samson Muanivi, 48, Josses Miave, 47, Charles Tanen, 41 and a 17-year-old male had opted for a Short Form Preliminary Inquiry.
Prosecution had already tendered documents for the short form preliminary inquiry to the court to have this matter committed to the High Court for trial.
Their lawyers, however, will be responding to the prosecution’s submission to have this matter committed to the High Court on July 20.
A short form preliminary inquiry only involved the tendering of documents containing the evidences to the court.
In the event the magistrate finds sufficient evidence against the men after the inquiries are conducted, he will commit their matter to the High Court for trial.
However, if the magistrates finds insuffient evidence against them, he is likely to dismiss their case.
All the accused are facing one count each of murder.
They were accused of the death of the deceased in December 2019 who died after developing complications at Aveta Village on Utupua.
Prosecution alleged that before his death, the victim’s belly was strong and painful and that he excreted leaves whenever he went to the toilet.
The deceased later died that same month in December 2019.
Following his death, the eight men were arrested and charged in connection to his death.
It was alleged the deceased’s death was sorcery related.
The Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the accused persons.
