A MAN is in jail after pleading guilty to numerous charges relating to breaking into people’s properties and stealing valuables.
Reginald Wai, 22, was sentenced yesterday to a total of four and a half years imprisonment, which was backdated to when he was taken into custody.
These were for the charges of two counts of robbery, one count of burglary, one count of simple larceny and one count of larceny of fruits and vegetables.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi in her sentencing remarks said, there is a need for both specific and general deterrence.
“A sentence must be able to send message to the society that breaking into other people’s homes and properties at night is not tolerated by our courts,” Mrs Taeburi said.
“Our people must be able to go to sleep at night in peace knowing that their lives and their children’s lives and their properties are safe,” she added.
“The sentence must also teach you that it is wrong to break into other people’s properties and steal their money and belonging,” she told Wai.
“From your previous conviction it seems that you have not learnt your lesson yet.”
Wai has five previous convictions and involved some elements of breaking into other people’s properties, use of violence and stealing.
Wai and his associates on 28 November, 2014 at about 6.30am being armed with bush knives robbed the compound of Nings at Ranadi.
While one of the group struggled with the security guard, the accused and his associates ransacked the office and stole $200 cash, a phone valued at $800, a water pump motor valued at $7,000.
The total value of properties stolen was more than $10,000.
The court also heard one of Wai’s associates cut one of the securities on his right arm with a knife.
It was also heard in court that the very next day, at about 2.30am Wai and his same group went back to the same location and robbed Alpha Metal Trading Limited.
His group was again armed with knives at that time.
“You threatened the security officers with your knives.
“You entered the house and stole money totalling up to $12,400.
“Before you committed these offences, you also broke the law three times in 2012,” Ms Taeburi told Wai.
On 15 February 2012, at about 3am, the court heard Wai broke into the canteen of Sam Tate at Kukum market area and stole goods and other properties.
Wai then sold everything he stole from Sam for $1,500.
And on 22 March 2012, at about 4am the court was told, Wai broke into the house of another person at Kukum area and stole a black basket containing $108.
On 27 March 2012, at about 10pm, Wai broke into the market stall of Florence Sau and stole her fruits and vegetables.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
