31 people charged with 31 counts of non-sexual offences in Nov

A total of 31 people have been charged with 31 counts of non-sexual offences last month.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) says the charges include murder (2), aggravated robbery (5), aggravated burglary (6), burglary (1), theft (8), arson (6), assault causing actual bodily harm (1), act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (1), and criminal intimidation (1).

There were 23 victims of the 31 counts, and in four incidents, the accused and the victim were related.

The ODPP says a 32-year-old man was charged with the murder of a 52-year-old doctor, they were in a de-facto relationship.

In another incident, a 44-year-old former corrections officer was charged with the murder of his 38-year-old de-facto partner.

A 27-year-old man was charged with an act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The ODPP says he allegedly hit his 18-year-old de-facto partner with a piece of wood.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man was charged with two counts of arson. He allegedly set fire to the houses of a 65-year-old woman and a 42-year-old woman following an altercation.

In another incident, a 22-year-old man was charged with two counts of arson; however, this matter was discontinued due to insufficient evidence.

The ODPP further says that a 45-year-old man was charged with one count of arson.

He allegedly set fire to the belongings of a 15-year-old and a 35-year-old person.

There was one incident where a 27-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were charged with one count of arson, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of theft.

The accused allegedly broke into Lakeba Post Office, stole cash and assorted items, and set the post office on fire.

The ODPP says there was one incident where a 74-year-old man was charged with one count of criminal intimidation.

He allegedly threatened his 34-year-old daughter-in-law with a cane knife.

Cash and assorted items were stolen during the alleged aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary offences, which included house and shop break-ins and day and night street muggings.

Two cases were withdrawn after discontinuances (Nolle Prosequi) were filed because the witnesses could not be contacted or located, and there was insufficient evidence.