Serial armed robber and prisoner escapee, Viliami Kupu (22), has received a sentence of four years of imprisonment for the armed robbery of a store in January this year. Kupu got another suspended sentence of 6 ½ years of imprisonment for the armed robbery and assault of an 58-year-old grandmother in November last year. 

Viliami committed his first offence on November 17 last year when he broke into a home, stole goods and assaulted an elderly woman living at the premises. Viliami beat the woman with a piece of wood. The 58-year-old grandmother sustained severe injuries but recovered in hospital after a few days. Viliami pleaded guilty to grevious bodily harm and armed robbery.

Viliami’s second armed robbery offence occurred on January 31 after he escaped from police custody earlier that day. The court heard that Viliami Kupu and a fellow fugitive, ‘Amoni Fifita, entered a store where they filled baskets with goods. They then proceeded to the counter where they pulled out machetes and threatened the two owners of the store, and ordered one of the owners to fill a bag with cash. The fugitive duo stole property valued at $7671.50 and drove away in a vehicle. Viliami pleaded guilty to armed robbery.

The court noted that in 2013, Viliami Kupu served a two-year prison sentence for housebreaking and theft. It was further noted that Viliami is married and has one child.