Police v Taiao [2010] WSSC 141 (12 July 2010)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SAMOA
HELD AT MULINUU

BETWEEN:

THE POLICE
Informant

AND:

TOVIA TAIAO, male of Tiavea-uta.
Defendant

Counsels: Ms F. Vaai for prosecution
Defendant unrepresented

Sentence: 12 July 2010

SENTENCE

Tovia, much of what was said to the previous defendant applies to your case about marijuana and possession of marijuana. In your case you have pleaded guilty to being in possession of 11 branches of marijuana leaves.

Considering the quantity and the seriousness of the offence there is no doubt an imprisonment term is required for your case. And normally that prison term would be somewhere around 12 to 18 months. However I will exercise some leniency to you and take the lower end namely 12 months as a start point. I deduct one-third of the sentence for your guilty plea that means a deduction of 4 months leaving a balance of 8 months. I deduct a further 4 months for the fact that this is your first offence and for the other factors in your favour. You will be convicted and sentenced to 4 months in prison for this offence but your remand in custody time awaiting sentence will be deducted.

JUSTICE NELSON