A young man who admitted stealing $50,000 from his employer has luckily escaped jail after his 12 months jail term has been suspended in full.
Newton Orobulu, 22, yesterday through his lawyer said he stole the money because the company failed to pay up his NPF share.
He said he worked for the company for the past nine months.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika however ruled out his excuse telling Orobulu that there are other ways to sort out the issue between him and the company if he had disagreements with the company.
Orobulu used a bone cutter to cut the lock on the shelf and took the money.
Magistrate Seuika told Orobulu that a custodial sentence is appropriate seeing that he has committed a very serious offence, larceny by servant that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and that he had broken the trust the company bestowed upon him as an employee.
However, having considered the accused’s age, his previous clean record with police, that the money stolen was recovered and he is now unemployed, Magistrate Seuika suspended the sentence.
Magistrate Seuika warned the accused not to commit further offence whilst serving his sentence outside of jail.
“If you do commit an offence within the 12 months period, you will serve the sentence in jail.”
Public Solicitor’s lawyer Lazarus Kwaiga represented Orobulu while Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota appeared for the State.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
