A married father of four, Ratu Osea Verekawa, has been sentenced to nine months in prison following his conviction for burglary, theft, and serious assault. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of various items, including a television, valued at over $1,500 from the home of Katalaina Kuilamu in September this year. After attempting to sell the stolen TV, Verekawa abandoned it at a camp house, where it was later recovered by police. He also faced additional legal troubles when he tried to evade arrest as officers attempted to raid his home.
The prosecution highlighted Verekawa’s prior criminal history, noting he had previously been convicted of burglary and theft, for which he received an eight-month sentence last year. During the sentencing on November 14, Justice Lee James Burney emphasized the psychological and emotional impact of burglary on victims, asserting that everyone should feel secure in their homes.
In another case, a former resort housekeeper received a six-month suspended sentence for assaulting a foreign national while she slept. The incident occurred on July 6, when the victim woke to find the assailant in her room. After she confronted him, he physically assaulted her before fleeing. Although he faced a charge of rape, he pleaded not guilty to that allegation but admitted to the assault.
Additionally, Pawan Deo, a former accountant for the Fiji Rugby Union, and his wife, Subhashni Mudaliar, are set to reappear in Suva Magistrate’s Court next year to face graft charges. They are accused of conspiring to defraud the Fiji Rugby Union and illegally obtaining $53,788.75 during Deo’s time as an accountant.
In another legal development, the High Court in Labasa acquitted Viliame Bitu of arson charges linked to the destruction of a commercial plantation owned by Fiji Pine Ltd. Justice Burney ruled that the prosecution’s case lacked strong identification evidence, criticizing the reliance on a single witness whose statements were insufficient for conviction.
These cases highlight ongoing challenges in the judicial system, addressing issues of burglary, assault, and financial misconduct, as well as innocent lives affected by wrongful accusations. Such circumstances underscore the importance of a well-prepared prosecution process to ensure justice and accountability while protecting the rights of individuals.