Couple get 12 years for arson, fraud

A MAN and his wife have been jailed for 12 years for offences relating to arson, stealing and conspiracy to defraud.
Justice Teresa Berrigan handed down the sentence against Charles Epei and his wife Agnes Jimu last Thursday in the Waigani National Court.
“Since you both were involved in the offence, there shouldn’t be much disparity in your sentencing,” Justice Berrigan said.
“The minimum penalty for arson is 10 years imprisonment and the maximum is life in prison.
“ I hereby, sentence both of you to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour.”
Justice Berrigan considered the mitigating factors that both were first-time offenders, parents to three children and had expressed remorse.
However, the aggravating factors were that the amount of money stolen, K184,300, was substantial, and the destruction of State property through arson was a serious offence.
Justice Berrigan suspended five years in which they will do community work assigned by their probation officer.
The court heard that on Oct 5, 2017, between 6pm and 7pm at the Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby, Jimu and Epei stole K184, 300, which was the property of the Electoral Commission.
The money was confiscated from the NCD election manager during the general election and kept in a safe as an exhibit inside the office of the Divisional Commander NCD and Central, Sylvester Kalaut.
After stealing the money, they set the office on fire.