Parliament must increase the penalty for the unlawful use of motor vehicles, says a crimes court judge.
Justice Panuel Mogish said crimes of unlawful use of motor vehicles are on the rise and the penalty must reflect the prevalent offence in society.
Currently the penalty for unlawful use of motor vehicles stands at 5 years in prison.
However, Justice Mogish says there is no use increasing the penalty of armed robbery without raising the penalty of unlawful use of vehicles, as the two offences run together.
He made these comments when sentencing Pala Kulu Adix, of Keapara village, Rigo, Central Province, to six years in prison for armed robbery of City Pharmacy Waigani showroom. The incident occurred on 27 November 2014.
He was among five of the 10 men involved in the robbery that day, where more than K28,500 was stolen.
Knives, factory and home-made guns were used in the robbery.
Adix spent one year and 10 months in pre-trial custody before pleading guilty to the offence on Friday (Nov 10).
That time in remand will be deducted from the head sentence. He will serve 4 years and two months in jail.