A man who forged signatures of members of his village to obtain money was lucky to escape a prison sentence today.

The Suva Magistrates court was told that Pita Waqanidrola forged the signatures of 10 members of Tokatoka Volivoli and obtained $4609.87, which is the lease money from the Native Land Trust Board and shared the money with some members of Tokatoka Nukutabua without the knowledge of the others.

Waqanidrola had pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, three counts of uttering forged documents and obtaining money by virtue of a forged document.

Waqanidrola has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.