Man found guilty of aggravated robbery sentenced to 16 years

A man found guilty of one count of aggravated robbery has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by the High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo.

The court heard that Eroni Qio and three other people armed with pinch bars and caned knives broke into a house at Mulomulo Place in Nakasi on 11th of March, 2014 at 4am.

Qio and others stole $4,110 cash, five 22 carat gold chain valued at $3,000, 3 pairs of gold earrings worth $2,000, one bracelet valued at $2,000, ten gold rings worth $3,000, a pair of canvas valued at $100 and a Ripcurl bag worth $105.

The court was informed that Qio is a habitual offender.

While passing down the sentence Justice Temo told Qio that the sentence given is to punish him in a manner that is just in all the circumstances, to protect the community, to deter other would-be offenders and to signify that the court and the community denounce these types of the offence.

He has been given a non-parole period of 15 years.