A 20-yr-old fisherman of Nanuku Vatuwaqa will spend 2 years in prison for attempted breaking and damaging property of the military forces.

On 17th February this year Seremaia Waqa,Tevita Vuivui, Joeli Varo, Tevita Rabukawaqa and a 17-yr-old were walking towards the Military Cemetery when a group of patrolling police officers who saw them, got suspicious and ran towards them.

Serermaia Waqa who pleaded guilty told Magistrate Amaniasi Katonivualiku that they wanted to take the military monument. In mitigation he said that he was 20-yrs-old, single unemployed and asked for a suspended sentence and did not know the purpose of the monument.

After hearing the mitigation and considering the offence, the court said that the accused planned the offence in a group, had the breaking tools with them and had desired to sell the monument for money.

The monument which is said to be of $100,000 is made up of brass plate was a gift from overseas to remember those army officers who fought in World War 1 and 2. It had their names engraved on it.