Court Circuit in Temotu Province convicts two defendants and remands two others

A recent Court Circuit held at the Manuopo Police Station in the Reef Islands, Temotu Province resulted in the imprisonment of two defendants for a total of nine months after being found guilty of domestic violence and malicious damage charges.

Principal Magistrate Luke Sandy, Public Solicitor Delilah Fagani and Prosecutor Matthew Tawopi heard 51 cases during the Court Circuit held 7 - 18 September 2020.

Provincial Police Commander Temotu Province Chief Superintendent James Toaki explains, “A total of 51 cases were heard during the Court Circuit resulting in two convictions. A male defendant was convicted and sentenced for three months imprisonment for the offence of domestic violence contrary to section 4 (1) (a) and section 58 (1) (2) of the Family Protection Act (FPA). A second defendant was convicted and sentenced for six months imprisonment for the offence of malicious damage contrary to section 326 (1)of the Penal Code.”

“Two other male accused were remanded at the Lata Correctional Centre. Offences committed by one of the accused include unlawful wounding contrary to section 299 of the Penal Code and insulting words contrary to section 178 (n) of the Penal Code. The other accused was remanded for an indecent act on a child under 15 years contrary to section 139 (2) (a) and (3) of the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016,” says PPC Toaki.

He adds, “I want to thank my good people in the Reef Islands for their cooperation during the Court Circuit and the police officers at Manuopo Police Station for the good work done before and during the Court Circuit.”