News in brief
Man remanded
A VANUATU national charged with seven counts of money laundering has been remanded by the Suva court. Jonny Albert Stephen, 39, is represented by lawyer Willy Hiuare. Stephen was arrested in September after it was alleged that between October and September he received money from Nigeria to transfer to New Zealand. The case was adjourned to December 4.
Thief fined
A $200 fine has been imposed on a man who admitted a charged of larceny involving $5200. Niumaia Bulacati, 29, of Nanuku settlement, Vatuwaqa stole aluminium window and door frames from 54-year-old complainant at Nabua. Sergeant Feroz Khan said police managed to recover $4200 worth of material. Bulacati pleaded guilty to the charge and has been ordered to pay the fine within 14 days or eight weeks in jail.
Careless driver
A DRIVER has been fined $100 for careless driving, the Suva court heard yesterday. Francisco Matakibau, 18, lost control of the vehicle he was driving and veered off the road into the Pacific Theological College property at Nasese on June 9. He pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving and has been ordered to pay the fine within 14 days in default three months in prison.
Psychiatric case
A MAN charged with the indecent assault of a 28-year-old female tourist at Honeymoon Beach on Naviti Island appeared at the Suva court yesterday. It is alleged the 30-year-old uttered rude remarks and touched the complainant on the thigh. He was thrown out of the property and charged. The man was sent to St Giles for medical assessment. The case was adjourned to December 4.
Suspect kept in custody
ROBBERY suspect, Tevita Vakatalai has been informed that he would not get bail again because he allegedly abscond bail twice, the Suva Magistrates Court heard.
Vakatalai appeared before Magistrate Eparama Rokoika on eights separate criminal files that include robbery with violence, larceny from person, house break-in, found in possession of illicit drugs and breaching bail conditions.
Magistrate Rokoika adjourned all his cases to December because Vakatalai cases were being handled by another magistrate.
