A 22-year-old male has been sentenced by the Central Magistrates Court in Honiara on 8 August 2018 to pay a fine of $500.00 after he was found guilty of stealing from a market vendor at the National Art Gallery in Honiara on 7 August 2018.
“The victim was selling his necklaces when the defendant went over to his table and pretended to look at the necklaces. He then took four of the necklaces and escaped quickly,” says Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga.
He adds: “Luckily the defendant was seen by another market vendor and she alerted the victim of what had happened. At that time the defendant had already escaped towards the National Museum bus stop.”
“The victim then ran after the defendant and shouted to the public for help,” says PPC Uiga.
He added: “During that time a Police officer who got off a public bus noticed what happened and quickly arrested the defendant. With the help of other duty police officers the defendant was taken to the Central Police Station.”
“The next day he was charged with a count of Simple Larceny contrary to Section 261 (1) of the Penal Code and taken to Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was ordered to pay a fine of $500.00 before 20 August 2018 or he will be sent to prison for 20 days.” says PPC Uiga.