THE admission of three of the four men, accused of breaking into the Tech Hub shop in Honiara and stealing over 80 mobile phones and $560 in cash early this year, will be used against them in the main trial.
This follows Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Rongomea’s ruling yesterday on a voir dire conducted to determine whether their Record of Interview statements were made fairly and voluntarily.
The court found that the admissions made by the defendants were conducted fairly and voluntarily.
As a result, the statements will be admitted as evidence in the main trial.
The case is scheduled to return to court on November 11.
The accused, Stephen Yim, Jared Meke, Andrew Kiriau, and former Tech Hub employee Jimmy Kiriau face charges of shop breaking.
A fifth man, Frank Firimolea, alleged to be the main suspect, was recently arrested and his case will be consolidated with this one at a later date.
During the voir dire, all accused except Andrew challenged the admissibility of their statements, claiming they were obtained unfairly and involuntarily.
The prosecution maintained the interviews were conducted properly and without coercion.
Police allege that the break-in occurred between 4am and 5am on January 31, 2025, during which thieves stole more than 80 mobile phones, including iPhones and a Samsung Galaxy S21, and $560 in cash.
CCTV footage reportedly captured a suspect inside the shop, and police allege Jimmy Kiriau, a former Tech Hub employee, provided inside information to aid the break-in.
Several of the stolen phones were later recovered.
The defendants are represented by Rochelle Palmer, Donation Houa and Ron Dickey Pulekera of the Public Solicitor’s Office, while Public Prosecutor Francisca Luza appears for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
