TWO men have been sentenced in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court for drinking kwaso at the Central Honiara Market in June.
Fred Masai, 19, a first time offender, was fined $400, with the option to serve 20 days in prison if he failed to pay up.
Unfortunately, Masai did not pay the fine, and a default warrant was issued for his arrest.
He will now serve 20 days in prison.
William Fomani, 25, a repeated offender, received a harsher sentence.
He was given a maximum sentence of six months in prison due to his fourth conviction for similar offence.
The court’s decision was influenced by Fomani’s history of repeat offending, with three previous convictions for similar offences.
He had also been recently fined $400 in default of 20 days imprisonment for similar offence, which was due to be paid this week.
However, Fomani claimed he was unable to pay the fine, which the magistrate ordered him to serve the 20 days imprisonment.
The two defendants were sentenced after they pleaded guilty to the charge of Liquor Not To Be Consumed in Certain Public Places contrary to section 65 of the Liquor Act and section 21 (a) of the Penal Code.
The incident occurred at 4 June 2025, at around 8am.
A police officer, who was on duty at the Central Market, witnessed the two defendants, along with a third suspect, drinking mixed Kwaso confiscated the bottle, and escorted them to the Central Market police post.
The next day, the defendants were interviewed and released on bail.
However, the third suspect escaped while the two defendants were being formally arrested and detained in custody.
Principal Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa scolded the two defendants, particularly Fomani, for their actions.
She questioned Fomani, asking him why he continued to drink at the Central Market despite being warned three times before.
Magistrate Pakoa told Fomani that the court had previously fined him, warned him, and even felt story for him, trying to help him change his ways, but nothing seemed to be effective.
She imposed the maximum penalty on Fomani, citing his fourth conviction for a similar offence as the reason.
She emphasised that the court had given him multiple chances to reform, but he had consistently failed to take advantage.
Her decision was a clear message that repeat offending would not be tolerated, and that those who continued to break the law would face serious consequences.
In the end, Fomani was sentenced to six months in prison for his current offence, and will also serve an additional 20 days for failing to pay the fine for his previous offence, which brings his total sentence to six months and 20 days.
Bethesda Kere of Public Solicitor is representing the duo.
Police Prosecutor Abel Maelanga is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
