A Popua man who stabbed his son-in-law, slashing his wrist, after an argument with the victim’s wife has been jailed for two years and eight months.
‘Atunaisa Kali was sentenced yesterday August 28 for attacking the victim, Feleti Hafoka after Hafoka questioned the whereabout of his wife, who is Kali’s daughter.
Kali pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
The court was told that Hafoka and his wife Halina live in Popua in a separate house on Kali’s allotment.
On the afternoon of 11 March 2023, Halina left the residence. She did not come home that night.
The next day, Hafoka was cooking food in their backyard when he noticed Halina at her parent’s house. He asked her where she had been. That led to an argument. As Hafoka turned to leave the house, Kali attacked him with a short samurai sword, the judgement said.
Hafoka raised his left hand to defend himself and the blade slashed his wrist, resulting in a deep laceration, fracture to his Hamate bone, and damage to one of his extensor tendons.
He was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery.
On March 14 Kali was arrested and charged and admitted to the offending.
On 18 March 2023, Hafoka was discharged from hospital. His injuries took about six months to fully heal albeit with significant scarring. No other residual deficit has been reported.
In his ruling, Lord Chief Justice Whitten said Kali is convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and is sentenced to two years and eight months (or 32 months) imprisonment.
The final 16 months of the sentence are to be suspended for a period of two years from the date of the Kali’s release from prison on condition that during that period he is to:
(a) not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;
(b) be placed on probation;
(c) report to the probation office within 48 hours of his release from prison and thereafter as directed by his probation officer; and
(d) complete an anger management course as directed by the probation officer.
Failure to comply with those conditions may result in the suspension being rescinded and the Defendant being required to serve the balance of his prison term.
In the result, and subject to those conditions and any remissions available under the Prisons Act, the Defendant will be required to serve 16 months in prison.
