Republic v Tebwe [2002] KIHC 98; Criminal Case 03 of 2002 (6 December 2002)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KIRIBATI
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
HELD AT BETIO
REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI

Criminal Case No. 3 of 2002

THE REPUBLIC

vs

TEWIIKO TEBWE

Ms E Bruce for the Republic
Mr A Amten for the Accused

Date of Hearing: 4 December 2002

SENTENCE

Tewiiko Tebwe: you have admitted burning down a kiakia at Temakin in December 2000. You said you did it because you hated a relative of the owner and you were drunk. It was a very wrong and silly thing to do. You are 30 years old, unmarried and live with your mother. You do not work and got as far as Class II at school. Since this happened you have been in hospital for mental illness. You are now being treated at the hospital as an out-patient.

The Republic did not suggest that you had any previous convictions. You have pleaded guilty.

What you did was a serious crime and deserves a sentence of imprisonment but both Mr Amten and Ms Bruce agreed that the sentence should be suspended.

You are sentenced to six month’s imprisonment but it will be suspended if you are of good behaviour for the next 12 months. That means if you do not commit any other offence for which you could be sent to gaol you will not have to spend this six months in gaol. If you were to commit another offence you would have to go to gaol for it and also to serve this six months.

Do you understand? Agree?

Dated the 6^th day of December 2002

THE HON ROBIN MILLHOUSE QC
CHIEF JUSTICE