Vakarisi granted cash bail

Suva Magistrate Liyanage Wickramasekara has granted Jone Vakarisi a cash bail of $500.

He must pay $500 to the court to be granted bail.

Vakarisi has been charged with a count of breaching bail conditions.

He has been ordered to report at the Nabua Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Magistrate has also ordered him to reside at Rewa Street, not to interfere with witnesses and not to reoffend while on bail.

This matter will be called for plea on the 29th of October.

In this case, he is charged for one count of criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening a Public Rental Board staff.

According to his bail conditions, Vakarisi had to report to the Nabua Police Station but he failed to do so.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Luke Qerewaqa told the court he was objecting to bail as Vakarisi had breached bail conditions.

He said Vakarisi was ordered not to reoffend while on bail but he had reoffend.

Sergeant Qerewaqa said Vakarisi also did not report at the Nabua Police Station from the 12th of September to 3rd of October.

He said Vakarisi was also told to reside at Sukanaivalu Road but he breached that condition by residing at Rewa Street where he was arrested.

The Police Prosecutor told the court Vakarisi had 10 previous convictions.

Meanwhile, Vakarisi told the court he followed all bail conditions set out by the court.

He said when he was bailed, he was told not to reside at Sukanaivalu Road, where his wife lives.

Vakarisi said he was given bail by the Chief Magistrate and was told to reside at Rewa Street.

As for reoffending, Vakarisi said he is under the presumption of innocence as the matter is before the court.

He said he does not have any previous cases of breaching bail conditions or absconding.

Vakarisi also told the court that he was also ordered by the High Court to sign at the Samabula Police Station but that case has been acquitted.

He said he had sought legal advice and was told to follow orders by the High Court.

The accused said if he is being told to sign at Nabua Police Station, then he must also reside at Sukanaivalu Road, where his wife lives.

The court also ruled that for the substantive matter where he is charged with criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening a Public Rental Board staff, his bail conditions will remain the same.

Magistrate Wickramasekara said this means Vakarisi has to sign a fresh bail bond with his new address, surrender his passport, also report to the Nabua Police Station on each day of the week and his curfew will be from 6pm to 6am.

He said Vakarisi must report at both Nabua and Samabula Police Stations.

This matter will be called on the 12th of November.

Meanwhile, Vakarisi is also charged with the abduction of a person under 18-years with intent to have carnal knowledge.

The girl is 17-years-old.

Vakarisi allegedly committed the offence between 12th to 20th August.