Prisoner gets more time in jail

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 01 June 2016, 12:00AM

A notorious prison escapee, Tui Samuelu, will have more time to suffer at Tafa’igata Prison. Yesterday, he appeared in the Supreme Court before Justice Mata Tuatagaloa for sentence on burglary, theft and escaping from prison. 

According to the summary of facts, the 21-year-old prisoner made plans with other inmates to escape to find a house to rob. 

On 29 June 2016, Samuelu and other inmates made their way out of the prison and the first house they got to at Ululoloa they broke into. 

The complainant is an 84-year-old businessman. He was sleeping with his wife at their house when the accused and his friends entered in the middle of the night. Samuelu took a Samsung Tablet worth $1,000, $350 cash and lights worth $300. The total value of all the belongings they stole was $2,250. 

When the complainant was alerted, one of Samuelu’s friends punched him and they left the house. 

In the dock, Justice Tuatagaloa asked the accused whether he wanted to change his life.  “I don’t think you have thought about changing your life at all,” she said. “You have become so used to this kind of life and you continue to do it because Tafaigata is the only place for people like you.” The Court took two years as a starting point for the charge of burglary. 

In the end, he was given 6 months for theft and 4 months for escaping from prison.  The entire penalties are to be served concurrent. Justice Tuatagaloa made it clear that the 21 months is to be served accumulative to his term being served at Tafaigata.

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 01 June 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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