Court imposed five months imprisonment
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
A 23-year-old man who stole a police vehicle and drove it recklessly along Kukum Highway in Honiara last November has been sentenced to five months in prison.
John Tuhenua Kaitu’u was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Simple Larceny, one count of Drivers to be Licenced and one count of Reckless and Dangerous Driving.
Principal Magistrate Michael Fagani in sentencing imposed five months ‘imprisonment for the first count, simple larceny and one month imprisonment each for the other two counts.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of 9 November 2025, following a police random breath testing operation conducted by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force at Florence Young Junction.
According to agreed facts, on the night of 8 November 2025, officers had set up a checkpoint and parked a marked police vehicle on the roadside with its ignition on and emergency lights activated to manage traffic flow.
During the operation, Kaitu’u, who was reportedly intoxicated, was seen in the area before approaching the police vehicle.
Between about 1:00am and 1:30am, he unlawfully entered the vehicle and drove off without permission.
It was alleged he then sped along Kukum Highway in Honiara in an attempt to escape with the vehicle.
Police officers attempted to stop him but were unsuccessful, prompting an immediate alert to Kukum Traffic Centre and other police units across the city.
A search operation was carried out in areas including White River, Nggosi and West Honiara.
The stolen vehicle was later sighted at Kombivatu by an off-duty officer and subsequently found abandoned in a drain.
Police later confirmed Kaitu’u’s identity and residence.
Although initial attempts to locate him were unsuccessful, he later voluntarily surrendered to police with the assistance of a relative.
Investigations also confirmed that he did not hold a valid driver’s licence.
The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently, meaning Kaitu’u will serve an effective total of five months in prison.
Private lawyer Donal Dive of Ron Law represented the defendant, while Police Prosecutor Betrina Madeo appeared for the Crown.
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