The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, 34 years of age, single, but with a young child to his de facto partner, a gardener and former fisherman, has no previous convictions, claims to be remorseful, and states that he wishes to marry his de facto partner.

The end sentence imposed on the defendant is 11 months’ imprisonment.

Suspended sentence for man guilty of sexually assaulting child

Robert Willie pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent, with a child under 13 years of age.

The maximum sentence for that offence is a term of 14 years’ imprisonment. However, the starting point that was adopted as appropriate for this offending is 3 years’ imprisonment.

The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, was 18 at the time of the offending, studying at the Maritime College, has no previous convictions and willingness to participate in a custom reconciliation ceremony.

The end sentence imposed is one of 16 months’ imprisonment. However, the sentence was suspended for two years. In addition, the defendant underwent 12 months’ supervised community work.

Suspended sentence for unintentional harm causing death

Lorry Kelpet pleaded guilty and accepted the summary of facts relating a charge of unintentional harm causing death.

The maximum sentence for such offending is a term of 5 years’ imprisonment. However, the starting point for this offending is 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.

The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, single, 43 years of age, has 4 adult children, one of whom was mother of the deceased grandchild.

Moreover, he has lost his employment as a result of this offending, has also of course lost his life partner and a no doubt cherished grandson, has no previous criminal or traffic convictions, and not surprisingly the defendant is extremely remorseful over what has transpired.

The end sentence imposed is 14 months’ imprisonment. The court suspended the entire sentence. This means the defendant needs to remain offence-free for two years. If he does, then this sentence will be at an end.

2-year jail term for misappropriating VT3, 881,190

Flora Kalsal pleaded guilty and accepted the summary of facts relating to a single charge of misappropriation.

The maximum sentence for such offending is a term of 12 years’ imprisonment. However, the starting point for this offending is 4 years’ imprisonment.

The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, 54 years of age, single and a mother to 5 children with no previous convictions.

Taking all of those matters into account, the end sentence imposed is one of 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.

6-year jail term for intentional homicide

Meletau Trief pleaded guilty to a charge alleging attempted pre-meditated intentional homicide.

The maximum sentence for that offence is a term of life imprisonment. However, the starting point that was adopted for this offending is 10 years’ imprisonment.

The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, a gardener, 63 years of age, married with 5 grown up children who are no longer dependent and has no previous convictions.

The end sentence imposed is one of 6 years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

Suspended sentence for arson

Songi Michel pleaded guilty to one charge of arson.

The maximum sentence for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment. However, the court set the sentence starting point for Michel’s offending at 3 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. The mitigating factors are as follows: guilty plea, 24 years old and single, education completed at Year 10, currently working in his father’s construction company, has no previous convictions and a custom reconciliation ceremony had been made.

The end sentence imposed is one of 1 year and 9 months’ imprisonment. Therefore, the court ordered the suspension of the execution of the imprisonment sentence on the condition that Michel commits no further offence within the next 2 years. In addition, the court imposed a supervision order subject to the standard conditions.

Disclaimer: All court documents have been sourced and summarized from PACLII website, Supreme Court records. All this information is public information and randomly chosen to feature in the Daily Post.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST