BY ROMINAH FAKA

The court has sentenced a woman to three years in prison for stealing from another person at Kingslee area, Point Cruz.

Alice Kini was arrested and granted bail to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week. However, she failed to appear, leading to a warrant of arrest being issued against her.

Police executed the warrant on Thursday last week, arresting Alice and bringing her to court, where she chose to represent herself and pleaded guilty to stealing from the complainant.

Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou sentenced Alice Kini on Thursday, 27th February 2025, at the Magistrate’s Court after she admitted to stealing $12,000 from the complainant.

Alice Kini was charged with one count of larceny from a person, contrary to section 270 of the Penal Code.

On 26th January 2025, at Kingslee, Point Cruz, the victim was driving his vehicle when he decided to stop in the area to rest, as he was tired and had consumed a few beers.

At the parking area, he parked his vehicle, and Alice Kini opened the left-side door and sat with him in the front seat. Alice asked the complainant for a beer, and he handed her half a can of beer.

After receiving the beer, the victim lay down on the front seat and instantly fell asleep. While he was asleep, Alice removed $12,000 from inside his bag.

A witness who happened to be nearby saw Alice standing not far from the victim’s parked car. The witness approached her and asked what she was doing in the car. Alice then left the car and walked away with the money.

The witness woke the victim, who then drove back to his residence at Panatina Valley. Upon arrival, the victim realized that his bag, which contained his mobile phone and $12,000, was missing.

He returned to Kingslee to search for his bag. A few women at the scene informed him that his cousin had taken the bag. The complainant then went to his cousin’s location and managed to recover his bag and mobile phone.

Upon checking his bag, he discovered that the money was missing. He asked his cousin about the missing amount, and his cousin responded that it must have been the woman who last entered the vehicle before he approached her.

On 30th January 2025, the complainant reported the matter at the White River Police Station. He was assisted by an officer, who helped locate a female witness. The witness stated that she had seen the money when she and Alice Kini boarded a taxi to Namoruka. She added that they spent the night drinking alcohol and that the next day, she left Alice.

The female witness then directed the police to Alice Kini’s sister in Namoruka. Alice Kini’s sister told the police that Alice had returned to their house briefly but left again while intoxicated and had not returned.

On 8th February 2025, police arrested Alice Kini and conducted a recorded interview at the White River Police CID office. During the interview, Alice admitted to stealing the money and stated that she had already spent it.

The case was prosecuted by the Police Prosecution Department.

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