TWO men who pleaded guilty to making liquor and consuming homebrew were each sentenced to serve various jail terms at the Gizo Magistrates Court.
Livingstone Inosimae is charged with producing liquor without permission and consuming homebrew.
His co-accused Frank Surukako is charged with consumption of homebrew.
Another of their two co-accused have been sentenced early this week with consumption of homebrew and are currently serving jail terms at Gizo Prison.
All accused were from Lambulambu Village in Vella La Vella, Western Province.
Police alleged that on December 16 last year Inosimae at Lambulambu Village brewed liquor/homebrew by mixing the sugar, yeast/mauripan, tea, pineapple, pawpaw and water in the bucket.
They drank the homebrew or kwaso at Lambulambu village and on their way by OBM to Gizo 21st December 2009.
Chief Magistrate Leonard Maina during sentencing said the Western Province is concerned about the effect of liquor on its people.
This is why it passed the Public Nuisance Ordinance 1991 which made consumption of homebrew or kwaso punishable.
Mr Maina said it is sad to note from the antecedent report presented by police to the Court that both accused and their friends who were earlier sentenced for drinking the homebrew or kwaso, were all followers of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA).
“It is sad because the rules of the SDA Church do not allow followers to take liquor. Both of you have broken church rules and it is their responsibility to discipline you according to the church rules,” he said .
“But for the court your have broken the laws of this country and it is my responsibility by the powers conferred upon me to sentence you according to the law,” Mr Maina told the two.
He said it is common knowledge that homebrew or kwaso has caused a lot of problem to the communities and every where in the country.
“And every one of us within our powers or responsibilities must take steps to address this issue of homebrew or kwaso.”
He gave credit for their early guilty pleas but also take note of Inosimae’s previous convictions.
Inosimae was jailed for 12 months, Surukako two months.
By ASSUMPTA PIVA
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