Recidivist offender, 23-year-old Lucas Kamana, has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for charges of burglary, joint burglary and contempt of court.

Well-known to the Court, Kamana was told that he demonstrated lack of honesty, he had ongoing disregard for the law and re-offended under the care of the families who provided him support.

Justice of the Peace Paul Turepu said Kamana has a criminal and traffic history, and since 2017 he has appeared before Court on numerous occasions indicating his lack of compliance with the law.

“It seems that every time you appear before the court you acknowledge your wrongdoings, you apologise and tell the court that you will not appear in court again. But again and again you keep coming back into court,” JP Turepu said.

Kamana was convicted last year on three burglary charges, which he committed in the Tupapa residential area around June 29, and another in August, and a joint burglary offence at the Next Shipment store in Arorangi, where mobile phones were stolen.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Fairoa Tararo said the offences were premeditated and there were two elderly victims.

Tararo told the three Justices of the Peace, JP Turepu, Tangi Taoro and Nga Mataio, who presided over the case, that the burglaries are affecting the community’s privacy and security.

He said the communities are entitled to be protected and there is a real need to denounce this type of offending.

Tararo urged the JPs that the decision reached must reflect the offender being held accountable.

“It’s evident, the offender has not learnt his lesson,” he said, submitting that Kamana serve a prison term and also pay reparations to the victim.

Looking at Kamana’s probation report, JP Turepu said he had no known medical conditions but had a history of alcohol abuse that has caused problems in his life and led him to re-offend and had anger problems.

He said Kamana felt helpless and there was no one to turn to for help and was uncertain about the future.

“You also had the desire to apologise to the victims and families who were affected by your actions which you were told by the police not to interfere with the victims.

“You also expressed deep regret for your behaviour and offered heartfelt apologies to the court and the police.”

Defence counsel Michelle Tangimama agreed with prosecution’s sentencing submissions of a prison term and probation report.

JP Turepu said: “Burglaries are prevalent throughout Rarotonga and this detrimentally affects the community in terms of privacy, safety and security.”

“The offending not only affects the interests of the victims concerned but also affects the interests of the wider community. The community is entitled to be protected from the offender’s uncaring attitude and behaviour.

“There is a real need to punish and denounce this conduct…”

He said it was evident that Kamana did not learn a lesson nor changed his behaviour as a result of being incarcerated in 2022 for one month on three burglary charges.

“Your offending is simply too serious and clearly a term of imprisonment is warranted.”

Kamana was reminded of the seriousness of the charges and that he was at a high risk of re-offending therefore a custodial term was recommended.

Considering his alcohol abuse and anger issues, Kamana was recommended to attend a programme focused on substance abuse and counselling while in prison facilitated by Te Punanga Ora’anga Matutu.

Kamana is to serve 16 months in prison, concurrently with all other charges, pay the reparation costs to victim one of $300, victim two $40 and to Next Shipment $2193.30.

He is to serve 12-months’ probation supervision upon his release with the condition not to consume or purchase alcohol, not to enter liquor license premises, attend counselling or workshop recommended by Probation Services and not to leave Rarotonga without the Court’s approval.

Kamana is also ordered to pay $100 court cost.

Meanwhile, after being sentenced to imprisonment this week, Kamana appeared before JP Vania Kenning on Thursday for a new charge of theft. The matter has been adjourned to May 29.