An accused currently serving a life sentence for murder was convicted of trying to kill another person on the same day four years ago by the National Court in Kokopo last Friday.
Michael Waragu, 24, from Malaguna in Rabaul, was sentenced to another 25 years but will serve it concurrently with the life sentence passed by the same court.
He was found guilty of attempted murder of Robert Tito and damaging a vehicle belonging to Agmark Ltd on May 17, 2003, at the village in East New Britain.
He had earlier been found guilty of stabbing John Patem and Rebon Taule to death on board the vehicle.
The counsel pleaded that the accused was young and to give him a lighter sentence.
Justice Lenalia Salatiel said he could not accept the counsel’s plea that the accused was young in such a serious case.
It required a strong deterrent sentence he said.
“Youth offenders should not receive special treatment unless there are exceptional circumstances, which may warrant lesser terms of imprisonments,” he said.
“Many aged between 15 and 30 continue to commit serious crimes like, murder, rape and robbery, despite numerous warnings in the past cases.”