A former Honiara City Mayor was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment at the Honiara Magistrates Court.

The Corruption Targeting Team arrested David Dausabea, 54, on 28 August 2006 in relation to fraud offences allegedly committed on the Honiara City Council between 2000 and 2003.

Magistrate Chris Vass yesterday sentenced Mr. Dausabea to 21-month jail term after finding him guilty of official corruption, false pretence and conversion.

Mr. Dausabea was however informed that he can serve only seven months if he repays $42,200 to the Honiara City Council, Joseph Wane and Johnny Sy.

The court heard that Mr. Dausabea spent money, paid to the Honiara City Council for land titles, for his personal use.

The former Honiara City Mayor has 12 months to repay the money, or serve his full term in prison.

A distraught Mr. Dausabea has offered to repay the money which has been misused.

Magistrate Vass, in passing the sentence, said he has put into consideration that Mr. Dausabea was a first time offender.

Mr. Dausabea is a former police officer and younger brother of East Honiara MP, Charles Dausabea.