A MAN, who confesses to stealing mobile phones from vendors at the Honiara Central Market and intimidated one, has been sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment, Monday.
Alick Kwaifiri had entered guilty pleas to one count of intimidation and two counts of simple larceny.
Deputy Chief, Magistrate Ricky Iomea,during the sentencing said Kwaifiri stole from vendors at night, when they were sleeping.
“The market should be a peaceful place that should be enjoyed by everyone both sellers and buyers free of people with criminal intents such as you, who prey on innocent vendors,” Mr Iomea told Kwaifiri.
Kwaifiri on 10 June 2018, intimidated female market vendor by kicking the umbrella she was using to do her market under.
At that time, Kwaifiri was holding a screw driver in his hand.
He then continued on to say that they have made him angry and that he will do anything he wants to do.
On the night of 13 June 2018, Kwaifiri stole mobile phone worth at $700 from vendor while he was sleeping at the Central Market.
The phone was recovered by the Honiara City Council enforcement officers.
The next night, Kwaifiri again stole another mobile phone worth $2,000from a female vendor at the Central Market while she was also sleeping.
The phone was never recovered.
“You intimidated the victim and caused fear to her especially a woman who was selling her products at the market,” Mr Iomea told Kwaifiri.
Mr Iomea added that the court has a duty to impose a sentence that will deter Kwaifiri and others like him and send a message that this kind of unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated by the courts.
Before handing down the sentence, Mr Iomea gave credit for Kwaifiri’s early guilty pleas thatshows a clear indication of his willingness to take responsibility, he apologised for what he did and that he is a young man.
“You are a young man, full of energy that should be invested worthwhile activities rather than in a life of crime.”
Mr Iomea then imposed six months imprisonment term for each of the charges and ordered that they run consecutively.
This means the final sentence is 18 months imprisonment.
The sentence was ordered to be back dated to when Kwaifiri was first remanded in custody.
Kwaifiri represented himself in court while Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota appeared for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
