Prisoners blame alcohol

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 12 August 2016, 12:00AM

Two prisoners, Tui Samuelu and Fili Faulalo, will have more time to rethink the magnitude of their bad behavior at Tafa’igata Prison.

Convicted of further charges of burglary and theft, the men were sentenced by Justice Vui Clarence Nelson in the Supreme Court this week.

Both Samuelu and Faulalo begged the Court for leniency, citing that they have eight more years to serve of their jail terms.

 “Your Honour, I was very drunk,” said Faulalo. 

“I only realised that I was at the wrong place when the girl screamed at me.

 “I am deeply sorry for my actions and this will be my last time appearing in this court.”

Samuelu also used the same line. He said they were drunk and did not know what they were doing.

But Justice Vui was not swayed. He noted that their criminal records show they are in prison for similar offences. 

Their behavior indicated they are not remorseful at all.

According to the summary of facts, the accused men were released on a weekend parole when they broke into a family’s house at Siusega at around 2am. 

Faulalo tore out a window screen wire and entered the complainant’s house while Samuelu stood outside. He stole two cell phones, a Samsung S5 and Digicel Alcatel cell phone worth $3179 and $2,000 cash. 

The complainant’s daughter saw the accused walking around in their house and she chased him out and reported the matter to Police.

The Police searched the two accused men and they recovered the family’s belongings. They also found a pack of marijuana on Faulalo.

Justice Vui convicted and sentenced the men to three more years in jail. Faulalo got an extra month for marijuana.

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 12 August 2016, 12:00AM
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