Nine young men involved in the December 2025 Airport Robbery have been sentence by the Supreme Court to prison terms ranging from 18 days to more than seven years over the theft of a vehicle and the armed robbery of AUD600,000 being transported to the airport.
Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek delivered the sentences Friday last week after all nine defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
According to Lunabek, the offending involved two related incidents.
The first incident involved the theft of a Kia Bongo vehicle from a residence in Pango in June 2025 carried out by first defendant, Gregory Rouard, Joshua Namuli and Johnny Tom Iwai. The vehicle was later modified, including having its windows heavily tinted, and was intended to facilitate the planned robbery.
On 29 December 2025, the group carried out the robbery at the airport. The court heard that AUD600,000, equivalent to about VT49.9 million, was stolen from a vehicle transporting foreign currency from Western Union/Goodies to the airport.
During the robbery, one victim was assaulted, while another was threatened with a rifle. The court found that the offending involved significant planning, organisation, the use of a firearm, violence and threats to the lives of the victims.
Chief Justice Lunabek described the robbery as particularly serious, noting that targeting businesses transporting money with weapons warrants custodial sentences. The maximum penalty for robbery under the Penal Code is 25 years imprisonment.
Gregory Rouard, identified by the court as the main offender and architect of both the theft and robbery, received the longest sentence.
His starting point was 12 years imprisonment. After discounts for his guilty plea, mitigating factors and time already spent in custody, he was sentenced to seven years, five months and eight days imprisonment.
The other sentences were:
Joshua Namuli: one year, one month and 20 days imprisonment, with 10 months to be served immediately and the remaining three months and 20 days suspended for two years.
Anthony Misak: four months and 10 days imprisonment, suspended for two years, together with 50 hours of community work.
Johnny Tom Iwai: one year, four months and 10 days imprisonment, with 10 months to be served immediately and the balance suspended for two years.
Victor Tabisap: three years, four months and 10 days imprisonment, to be served immediately.
Rex Steven: five years and 14 days imprisonment, to be served immediately.
Willie Matua: three years, four months and 16 days imprisonment, to be served immediately.
Gael Remy Yorley: 18 days imprisonment, suspended for two years, plus 50 hours of community work.
Yoan Obed: five years and 14 days imprisonment, to be served immediately.
The judgment states that AUD582,650, equivalent to about VT48.7 million, of the stolen funds was returned.
The court also found that the robbery affected public safety and confidence and could have adversely affected Vanuatu’s international reputation as a destination for tourism and investment.
All nine defendants have 14 days to appeal their respective sentences if they are dissatisfied with the decisions.
