The bulk of crimes cases before the Lae National Court have been armed robbery-related.
In fact, there has been a growing number of armed robbery cases in Lae in recent years.
Most of the accused who have appeared in court have pleaded guilty to the offences and were sentenced accordingly by Justice Panuel Mogish in the months of June, July and August last year.
Last Wednesday was no different with two cases of armed robbery that went before the court.
Sam Desmond of Hondomuga village, Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands Province, was sentenced to 8 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to stealing a wheelbarrow, a generator set, a welding machine and other carpenter tools belonging to Raumai 18 Limited.
The incident took place on 5 January 2017 at the Raumai 18 yard, along the Independence Drive in Lae.
Desmond was in the company of five others and were armed with homemade guns and knives at the time the armed robbery was committed.
Having pleaded guilty to the offence, 3 years of that 8 year sentence was suspended. The balance will be served at Buimo.
Jonathan Kalsup of Yuwo village, Wewak, East Sepik Province, was also sentenced last Wednesday.
The former employee of Lae International Hotel was sentenced to 9 years in hard labour over the armed robbery of 19 September 2016 where over K66,000 was stolen.