A man serving a four and a half year jail term has been given a retrial by High Court Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem today.

Tomasi Turuturuvesi was sentenced for one count of robbery with violence, one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count of resisting arrest in May 2006, in Nasinu.

Turuturuvesi said he had been assaulted by police officers, sprayed between the eyes and beaten. He admitted to the robbery of 40 dollars cash, a wallet and a gold chain.

Shameen said the jail term was removed because no trial within a trial was held when the issue of police assault was raised.

She said the offences committed were serious and since the sentencing had failed to comply with certain procedures, it demanded a retrial.