Man warned over stealing meat

A MAGISTRATE has warned a man who stole a tin of meat from Stop & Shop in Boroko, Port Moresby, to refrain from such behaviour or face the maximum penalty.
Boroko District Court Magistrate Rebecca Kalepo told Thomas Voko, from Vunapope, East New Britain, charged with stealing, that even though the tin of meat cost K8.50, he could still receive the maximum fine of K4,000.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Felix Singo asked the court for a convicted caution because of the mitigating factors that included Voko showing remorse, pleading guilty, spending time in custody and the item stolen being returned.
Magistrate Kalepo told Voko that the offence of stealing was becoming prevalent which made lawmakers to increase penalties for such offences.
She told Voko that because he was being discharged, he should not commit the offence again.
Magistrate Kalepo told Voko to look for a job to provide for his family, instead of stealing from other people before giving him a convicted caution.