Fijian soldier jailed for 3 years for stealing

A Fijian soldier has been jailed for 3 years for stealing public funds.

Staff Sergeant Iowane Naivalurua Tulele was sentenced by court martial in Suva on Monday.

The Fiji Times reports that he was charged with 32 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Between 2015 and 2016, he took around $US25,000 from the wages of 32 military personnel.

Judge Commander Netani Sukanaivalu said the sentencing will deter other offenders.