A re-offender who broke into the Apia Yacht Club earlier this year and stole goods that cost less than $1000 was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail.

Lewis Sale Vena of Lotopa and Siusega appeared before the Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese on Thursday for his sentencing. 

Vena is 46-year-old and has two children.

He pleaded guilty to two charges namely burglary and theft for stealing property of Apia Yacht Club that has a value of $916.00 on 6 January 2024. 

According to the summary of facts, the defendant entered the building without authority and stole a till box that cost $458.00, alcohol bottles and $30 tala cash. 

The defendant was identified through CCTV footage and was referred to the police for their investigation. 

On 4 March the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges. 

Vena told the court he attempted to apologise to the victim for his actions but was unable to contact them. 

He said he was the sole breadwinner of his family and caregiver. 

The court heard that the defendant relies on his siblings in Hawaii for financial support and had reunited with his de-facto wife who he was supporting. 

The probation reported that alcohol was a contributing factor to the defendant’s offending and he consumed a lot of it. 

Chief Justice Perese said this was no excuse for the defendant’s action. 

The defendant has a previous conviction where he was convicted and fined $400 for theft in the past. 

Prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney General Timothy Fesili said the defendant was not a person of good character and was no stranger to the courts. 

The prosecution pointed out this means the defendant had not learnt his lesson and that made his offending more aggravating. 

Chief Justice Perese considered the sentence in its totality and took four months as a starting point. 

He deducted time for Vena’s early guilty plea and the end sentence was two and half months.