Court orders re-trial for Serutalatala

The Suva High court today quashed a nine year sentence given to a man charged with two counts of robbery with violence and unlawful use of motor vehicle by Suva magistrate’s court this year.

High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo ordered a retrial for Lote Serutalatala before another magistrate to begin on 28th of this month till 2nd December.

Justice Temo said next Thursday the chief magistrate is expected to decide which magistrate will hear the case.

Justice Temo ordered a re trial on grounds that the magistrate did not hold a trial with in a trial and did not properly analyze a witness’s identification evidence before sentencing the accused.

The court was told that on 26th September 2008 Serutalatala with others robbed two person on separate occasions in Lami and unlawfully used a motor vehicle.

The accused has been remanded in custody.


Story by: Ronal Deo