Man jailed for stealing Nike gear

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 17 April 2018, 12:00AM

A repeat offender has been sentenced to five months in prison. 

This time, Sipuni Tusiga Mala, of Aele and Letogo, broke into a home, stole Nike shoes and socks. He was sentenced last week on one charge of burglary. 

Sentencing was handed down by Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefa Sapolu. 

According to the summary of facts, on 29 October 2017 around 8:00pm at Faleula-uta, the accused went to the complainant’s house and stole one Nike sports shoes and a pair of socks. 

The total value of the stolen properties in Samoan currency is $722.65. 

At the time of the present offending, the accused was serving a sentence of 12 months supervision for a similar offending he committed in 2016.

“As shown from the pre-sentence report dated 8 November 2016 for the accused’s previous offending, the accused comes from a low income family at Aele." 

“He had a low level of education having finished school at Year 8. He then worked on his family’s peanut farm." 

“The accused’s pre-sentence report dated 6 June 2017 shows that on 18 November 2016, he appeared before this Court on three charges of burglary and five charges of theft." 

“He was then convicted and sentenced to 12 months supervision and ordered to perform 100 hours community service and to remain at home from 6pm – 6am."

“The accused’s pre-sentence report for this matter shows that the accused’s date of birth cannot be verified even though his pre-sentence report dated 8 November 2016 shows him to be 19 years old,” pointed out the Chief Justice.  

He further noted out the aggravating features relating to this offending are the value of the stolen properties, home invasion, and the fact that the present offending occurred while the accused was still serving a term of supervision from his previous offending in 2016.

The accused, who had since been incarcerated for almost five months, should be released from jail yesterday (17 April, 2018), said the Chief Justice.  

“The time for which the accused has been remanded in custody is to be deducted from that sentence. That means the accused will end his sentence on 17 April, 2017.”

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 17 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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