THE court heard that a watchman did not report a burglary to police because he knew the accused and felt sorry for him.
Jeremaia Cakacaka took the witness stand against Rusiate Savu at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.
During cross examination, in response to Mr Savu's question, Mr Cakacaka said the police took his statement the day after the burglary.
Mr Savu asked him why as the security guard that night, he did not report the matter to police.
The witness said he once lived that life but had changed.
He also said that he felt sorry for the accused.
Mr Savu is charged for stealing assorted items worth $7000 from Ezybuy between March 31 and April 2 this year.
Earlier, Director of Public Prosecutions lawyer Josaia Niudamu asked Mr Cakacaka how long he worked as a watchman at the old Kadavu House building. Mr Cakacaka responded saying for nine to 10 years.
He said he was sleeping on March 31, he closed the gate to the betting shop, patrolled the building then went to sleep on the third level.
Mr Cakacaka said he woke up in the early hours of the morning to see two men there.
He said he did not know where they came from or what they were doing.
After enquiring with the men, Mr Cakacaka said they told him that they were not doing anything nor did they steal.
He said he told them to leave and opened the gate, allowing them out of the building.
Mr Cakacaka said the accused and his accomplice were holding a bag each when they spoke.
Mr Niudamu asked Mr Cakacaka if he knew Mr Savu.
He said he did not know Mr Savu's real name, he said he knew the accused by the name Toa and that he knew him from the streets.