A 23-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to eight years imprisonment earlier today by Judge Justice Salesi Temo for aggravated robbery and theft.
The court heard that Josaia Dobui, who had pleaded guilty to the two counts, with two others, had entered the home of a person and stole assorted items and cash to the total value of $62,533 on September 15, 2017 in Navua.
It was also said that he stole $1000 cash from a BSP ATM in Sigatoka with the card he stole from the person’s wife.
Justice Temo while reading the sentence highlighted that Dobui with two others entered the home while the family were sleeping armed with kitchen knives.
He stated that Dobui tied up the husband and wife while their two kids aged 2 and 4 years witnessed the incident.
It was also revealed that the two others who accompanied him drove away with the man’s vehicle to an ATM to check if the pin number given was working while Dobui stayed guard.
Justice Temo said when it was confirmed that the pin number worked, Dobui fled the house.
It was highlighted by Justice Temo that the crime was carried out after careful pre-planning and under frightening circumstances.
A non-parole period of seven years has been set.
