Two Chinese men convicted of stealing money to the tune of $70,000 from A.T.Ms belonging to the Bank of South Pacific have been found guilty.

Zhong Shuiming and Yang Quigreen have been remanded in custody of Police to await sentencing on 9 June 2017. 

The men were represented by lawyer, Alex Su’a with Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa the Prosecutor. District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma presided.

In Court yesterday, there was a minor issue when Judge Fepulea’i was informed the Chinese Translator had traveled overseas for work.

But Su’a assured the ruling will be referred to someone in China who can translate and pass back for the defendants.

Judge Fepuleai pointed out the defendants were initially charged with 16 charges however prior to the trial, they both pleaded guilty to four charges. 

These include intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority; theft of $9,700; theft of $1,000; theft of $12,500. 

 The total amount for this is $23,200. 

During the trial, two more theft charges were dismissed, leaving 10 other counts which were the subject of the trial.

For theft charge in the amount of $24,900, they were found guilty in the lesser sum of $19,150; theft of $16,200 they were found guilty in the lesser sum $12,400; theft $6,150 they were found guilty in the lesser sum $3,100; theft of $23,950 they are found guilty in the lesser sum of $11,700; theft of $15,700 they were found guilty in the lesser sum of $1,000. 

They were also found guilty of intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority and intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority with the purpose of committing a crime of dishonesty. 

They were however acquitted of three theft charges, involving two separate withdrawals of $300 each and theft of $20,500. Total amount for these theft charges was $47,350.

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