TWO men who allegedly launched a failed robbery on a couple at the King George VI area in east Honiara are still without lawyers despite making several requests.
David Toli, 28, and Philip Lee, 21, are both facing armed robbery charges.
Since they are both yet to be allocated lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office, their matter has been further adjourned to June 7.
When asked by Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga if he had made any request for a lawyer, Toli said he made six requests.
Lee said he is without a lawyer yet but added that he got a feedback from his request that it was accepted but a lawyer is yet to see him.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga told both accused that it is unfortunate that the Public Solicitor’s Office is facing shortage of lawyers.
He said it is due to the increasing numbers of criminal cases in the country that resulted in lawyers not able to go and see all accused.
He however, assured both accused that hopefully before the year ends, we would have another 50 or so new lawyers joining the PSO.
Toli and Lee are accused of attacking a couple with an iron whilst one of them was also armed with a knife.
This was whilst they were waiting for a bus at the King George VI bus stop at around 8pm on the day of the alleged incident.
Prosecution alleged they robbed the bag from the woman victim but her bag was later retrieved when police arrived at the scene and arrested the two accused.
This was after the husband grabbed his wife and pulled her towards the Uncle Alick shop to get away from the two accused.
At the Uncle Alick shop area, he called police for help on which the police did turn up and arrested the two accused.
Police Prosecutor Ambrose Motui is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
