* Former CBSI employee sentencing today
* Alleged burglar freed
Former CBSI employee sentencing today
A Honiara magistrate will today hand down the sentence of the former employee of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) who confesses to stealing more than $400,000 from the bank.
Tommy Qazobatu had previously pleaded guilty to 19 counts of larceny & embezzlement by clerk or servant has been listed to yesterday for the sentence.
His sentence was supposed to be handed down last Friday but was however further adjourned to today by Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika.
Qazobatu had previously denied the charges against him and a trial had commenced in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution has completed its eighth witness when Qazobatu decided to change his pleas.
The former CBSI officer is being charged with offences relating back to 2015 and 2016 when he was working as a payroll officer and accounts exchange officer for the CBSI.
The total amount of money stolen is about more than $400,000
Ronald Dive of Ron Law is representing Qazobatu while Public Prosecutor Jasper Anisi appears for the Crown.
Assisting Mr Anisi is his colleague Patricia Tabepuda.
Alleged burglar freed
ONE of the three men accused of breaking into two vehicles at the Hyundai Mall parking lot in Honiara and stole valuable properties has been discharged recently in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
Police Prosecutor Lyndon Adifaka made an application to withdraw two counts of simple larceny and two counts of malicious damage against Malik Parasaia.
He made the application under section 190 (2) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Procedure Code due to insufficient evidence against him.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika granted the application and had Parasaia discharged under that particular section of the CPC.
Under this section Police can reinstate the charges against Malik if they collected enough evidence against him.
Meanwhile police will continue to proceed with the matter against Albert Tutua and George Mani who are facing two counts each of simple larceny and malicious damage.
Prosecution alleged the duo allegedly broke into two vehicles that were parked at the Hyundai parking lot and allegedly stole SBD$3,000 cash, bank cheques, a mobile and some stationaries.
The owner of the vehicle reported the matter to the police on that same day.
Police had so far only recovered SBD$900 cash and some of the properties.
Lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office are representing the two accused.