Four suspects convicted, imprisoned

A recent three-day Court Circuit at Yandina in the Russell Islands, Central Province heard 22 cases resulting in the conviction and imprisonment of four suspects after being found guilty on various charges.

The Court Circuit held by a Magistrate, police prosecutors from Yandina, a court clerk and a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office was conducted from 3 to 5 February 2020.

The four suspects were convicted and imprisoned for:

• Domestic violence under the Family Protection Act section 4 (1) (a);
• Criminal trespass at night under section189 (2) of the Penal Code;
•  Assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to section 245 of the Penal Code;
• Grievous harm contrary to section 226 of the Penal Code.

 All convicted defendants were transported to the Solomon Islands Correctional Service Centre in Honiara where they will serve their terms in prison.

The rest of the 22 cases that were heard resulted in fines, further adjournments and dismissals.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “On behalf of the RSIPF and people of Central Province I would like to thank the office of the Chief Magistrate for scheduling the first court circuit for this year for both Tulagi and Yandina.”

 “I want to warn all my good people in Central Province not to take the law into your own hands. Our laws are there to protect us and to ensure we respect one another in our communities.” PPC Maelasi adds:

“My office will be working together with the Central Provincial Government and the office of the Chief Magistrate on a plan to building a proper court house for Tulagi to improve the delivery of justice for our people at the provincial level.”