Contrasting Police & Probation records delays another sentence

By Henrietta Tupu/

Apia, Samoa – 03 October 2025: The difference in Police and Probation Office records has again delayed another sentence scheduled for yesterday. It is the second such case of a sentencing to be delayed over the last two weeks.

Justice Nelson had to postpone the sentencing when he noted that the criminal history of the defendant provided by the Probation Officer Hazel Devoe was different from the police record.

The defendant according to police records was first charged with a criminal offence in 2014, however, the Probations record dates back to 2009.

Devoe told the court that their records show the defendant was first charged in 2009, was convicted and placed under probation for some time.

Justice Nelson then asked “Why is there always a difference between the Police and Probation Offices records?”

He pointed to both parties that the court has noted that the majority of cases brought before it have different information provided by the Police and Probation records.

Devoe responded that their records show what she just told the court.

“Does that mean your records are better and the Police unreliable?” Justice Nelson asked.

Devoe did not respond.

Justice Nelson then ordered the defendant to read the report by the Probation Office then review the documents provided by the police.

Last week, Justice Leitaualesa Daryl Clarke had to postpone his sentence because of a similar situation where the police and probation offices had contrasting records and postponed sentencing to next week.

In the case before Justice Nelson, the defendant is charged with theft and unlawful entry at a family home at Alafua where he stole items worth $899 and sentencing has been postponed to next Friday.