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Public Prosecutor v Sailas [1967] VUNHJC 4; Criminal (A) 06 of 1967 (4 April 1967)

JOINT COURT OF THE NEW HEBRIDES

JUDGMENT No. (A) 6/67
of 4th April, 1967

CONDOMINIUM

v.

MANRE SAILAS of ERATAP

JUDGMENT

The accused is charged that on the 18th September, 1966 at Lakles on the island of Efate he stole £A.25 the property of his mother, RAUSIL SAILAS of Eratap, to which charge he pleaded guilty.

Outlining the facts the Public Prosecutor, Commandant Walford, informed the Court that the accused is the son of the late Chief of Fila Island, SAILAS. (It later transpired that he is the grandson). He said that the Chief died at his daughter's home at Lakles and his widow, the complainant, asked the accused to help her destroy some possessions of the deceased which were no longer required. It was later found that £A.25, of which the complainant was the bailee, had disappeared and when asked about the money the accused admitted taking it.

The complainant delayed reporting the matter to afford the accused an opportunity of refunding the money; an opportunity of which he has failed to avail himself.

The Public Prosecutor told the Court that the accused, who is aged 26, was convicted in November, 1963 of stealing £100 and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. He said that the accused is unstable and never remains in employment for any length of time.

The Court convicts and sentences the accused to six months' imprisonment and orders that the accused be remanded in custody until such time as the decision of Their Honours, the Resident Commissioners be known. If such decision be not forthcoming before the expiration of six months, calculated from this date, then on the expiration of that period the accused shall be deemed to have served the penalty imposed on him for this offence and shall be released.

DATED at Vila this fourth day of April, 1967 ./.

French Judge
British Judge
Registrar

JOINT COURT OF THE NEW HEBRIDES
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION

JUDGMENT No. (A) 6/67
of 4th April, 1967

CONDOMINIUM

v.

MANRE SAILAS of ERATAP

FEES due to Mr. O. HONEGGER, Bailiff, residing at Vila.

SUMMONS TO ACCUSED:

SUMMONS TO WITNESSES:

1. RAUSIL SAILAS of Eratap)

2. LEIMAS of Eratap )

3. JOHN KALORUS of Eratap)

SIXTEEN SHILLINGS AND SIX PENCE STERLING ./.

VILA, 4th April, 1967 ./.

REGISTRAR

SEEN:
French Judge
British Judge