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Doctor fined $2,000 for illegal sale of beer

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A MEDICAL doctor caught repeatedly selling beer illegally was fined $2000 in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Dr Michael Ramo, 49, who is no longer working as a doctor, was also given a bound over sentence.

He had earlier denied the charge and was set to go on trial yesterday.

But he changed his plea just before the trial starts.

This was Ramo’s third time to have committed the same offence.

Police Prosecutor Galvin Ora told the court that on February 6 this year police mount an operation targeting illegal sale of beer.

Upon information received that someone was selling beer illegally at Kukum sea front area, the patrol went there, Mr Ora said.

Police went and searched the house at the said location but found nothing.

They then moved to the next leaf hut and found cartons of beer and Saratoga in a freezer.

There were some people there playing dart.

After making an inquiry Police found the beers in the freezer were for sale and they belonged to the accused.

Solomon Kalu, who represented the accused, in mitigation told the court that on that day there was a fundraising held to raise funds for the accused’s community back in South Malaita.

Mr Kalu said the fundraising was held at a wantok’s area and the accused went there to show his support.

The court was told that as part of his help Ramo took part in collecting money for the fundraising that he brought the beers for sale.

His lawyer submitted to the court not to consider the previous convictions.

But Prosecutor Ora said people who don’t respect he law deserve heavy punishment.

He said it is important that the penalty imposed reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Presiding Magistrate Esther Lelapitu gave credit to the accused for his early guilty plea.

But she said the court would consider his repeated convictions.

 “It seemed that you never learn from you previous convictions,” Ms Lelapitu told Ramo.

She then imposed $2,000 fine in default of three months imprisonment.

Failing to pay up the fine before 4pm would see the accused serving three months in jail.

Ramo was also bounded over for one year of good behavior at $5,000 meaning if he commits any offence within one year he would pay $5,000 to the court.

By ASSUMPTA PIVA