BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man who pled guilty to stealing at a residence has been given a two year suspended sentence following an initial nine-month sentence.

The sentence was delivered yesterday by Principal Magistrate Emily Z Vagibule Pakoa.

Bravis Menapi was charged for larceny in dwelling house, contrary to section 269 (a) of the Penal Code, Cap 26.

He pleaded guilty to the charge on December 23, 2024.

In delivering the sentence court highlighted the aggravating factors which are; the seriousness of the offence, Menapi action for entering and exiting through the window of the victim’s home, his actions breach the security private homes of the victim and the mobile phone was never retrieve back to the victim.

For the mitigating factors, court also considered the guilty plea which saved court’s time and resources, he was a first-time offender, he cooperated with police and his youthfulness.

Court started with the starting points of twelve months imprisonment and added eight months for the aggravating factors, and then deduct four months for the earlier guilty plea and further deduct seven months for other mitigating factors.

The agreed facts stated Menapi is 23 years old, between July 1 and 31, 2024, he entered the dwelling house of John Kenedy.

He entered and exited the house through window in the evening.

He stole a bag and inside the bag a Samsung mobile phone.

Inside the bag, there was Samsung mobile phone. The mobile phone valued around $1,900.

He sold the phone for $100.

Around the time of the offending, Menapi was working as a carpenter for the complainant, building his house.

The complainant failed to pay Menapi for his service after he completed his work.

Menapi’s action arose when the complainant failed to pay him in almost two months and he desperately needed money.