Service Station robbers get 3 years

Three men have been sentenced to upto 3 years imprisonment for their role in the BP Service Station Robbery in Nabua in March.

22yr old Jeke Koroi, 20yr old Eliki Qalubau and 22yr old Lepani Matea pleaded guilty to charges of robbery with violence and assault.

The three along with others stormed into the BP service station at around 3am on March 28th, armed with broken beer bottles and stones, assaulted the attendants and made off with cash and assorted items.

Koroi and Matea were sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment while Qalubau will spend the next three years of his life behind bars.

Two others charged with the same offence pleaded not guilty and are remanded to await trial.

Meanwhile, police confirm that the five are expected to be further charged with unlawful use of motor vehicle and assault.

It is alleged that the night before the robbery, the five hired a mini-van from Makoi and assaulted and robbed the driver in Tovata after tying him up.

They are expected to appear again in court later this week.