Republic v Tiaon - Sentence [2007] KIHC 83; Criminal Case 03 & 04 of 2007 (3 May 2007)

In the High Court of Kiribati
Criminal Jurisdiction
Held at Betio
Republic of Kiribati

High Court Criminal Cases Nos 3 & 4 of 2007

The Republic

v

Tiemti Tiaon

For the Republic: Mr David Lambourne, Solicitor General
For the Accused: Mr Karotu Tiba

Date of Hearing: 2 May 2007

SENTENCE

Tiemti Tiaon: you have now pleaded guilty to housebreaking and committing a felony and to larceny on 6th October 2005 and to housebreaking and committing a felony and to larceny on 9th October.

You have been convicted many times since 1991 and are in gaol now serving sentences for similar offences which mean you are likely to remain in gaol until some time in 2013. You have been in custody since October 2005.

The Solicitor General, prosecuting, has suggested that your spree of housebreaking and larceny in September/October 2005 – including the two incidents the subject of all these charges – will be sufficiently punished by the present sentences which you are serving.

A number of sentences of imprisonment – even though each is appropriate if considered on its own – should not add up to so long a time in gaol that the total is crushing.

You are sentenced on each of the two counts of housebreaking and committing a felony to three years’ imprisonment and on each of the two counts of larceny to two years’ imprisonment. To avoid the sentences on you being crushing, the sentences will be served concurrently and will begin immediately, being served concurrently with the sentences you are already serving.

Dated the 3rd day of May 2007

THE HON ROBIN MILLHOUSE QC
Chief Justice