REGINA 

V

 BARTHOLOMEW BARA

IN THE HIGH COUR TOF SOMON ISLANDS
(Mwanesalua, DCJ)
Criminal Case No. 516 of 2016

Date of Hearing	:	27th September 2017
Date of Sentence	:	3rd October 2017

SENTENCE
Mwanesalua; DCJ
The accused pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering under section 17 (1) (c ) (1) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2010.

The agreed summary of facts by Counsels for the Crown and the Defence:

1.	On 26th of January 2015, a car registration number MA607 crashed at Kakabona, West Guadalcanal. The car was used by a group of men who allegedly robbed Westpac Bank and stole two boxes of money worth of four million dollars. They fled to Kakabona with the two boxes as they were chased by the Police. The villagers were alerted and tried to assist the Police to catch the alleged robbers.

2.	When the car crashed, the men inside ran out of the car and left the two boxes of money inside. There were many people around there at the time as the crash attracted people around that place.

The accused Bartholomew Bara was around there at the time as the crash attracted people around the place.

3.	The accused Bartholomew Bara was around the scene at the time as well. He ran to the crashed car and went inside through the window. He saw two boxes of money and stole the sum of $20,000 out of the four million dollars in the two boxes. This money belongs to Westpac Bank and it was never recovered.

4.	Using this stolen ($20,000) which is the proceed of crime the accused Batholomew Bara went and brought a car registration number MA5065 for $15,000.00 in cash. According to the accused, the sum of $5,000.00 was used for paying compensation. This car was detained by Police. 

5.	The accused pleaded guilty to his offence. He is sentenced to two years imprisonment from this day 3rd October 2017.

_____________________
Mwanesalua, DCJ