A man who left with a machete after a failed attack attempt and returned with a sharp object and stabbed his victim has been sent to jail.
David Kent Jr Tau’alupe, 39, wounded ‘Alo’i Kei in his left upper abdomen during a drink-up altercation at the Laione Club in Vava’u.
He was jailed for one year for causing grievous bodily harm.
The court was told that on the evening of 8 December 2023, Tau’alupe, Kesitoni and Kei were drinking alcohol before heading to Laione Kava Club.
At one point, Kei and another left to get more alcohol in Kesitoni’s vehicle, apparently without his permission.
Upon their return, there was bantering between Tau’alupe and Kei about the taking of the vehicle, which escalated into an argument that led to Tau’alupe punching Kei.
Tau’alupe left and returned with a machete to attack Kei, but Kesitoni was able to stop him and reconcile them.
Tau’alupe left the club with the machete without incident.
He later returned and punched the victim, challenging him to a fight. He was seen holding what looked like a small knife in his trouser pocket.
The victim took the challenge and got up to fight the defendant. He did not know about the sharp object in the defendant’s possession.
It was not until while engaged in the fight with the defendant and others were urging the victim to retreat as he was bleeding, that he realised he was hurt.
He moved back and saw blood on his clothes and backed off, resting his back against the wall and sliding down to a seated position.
He was immediately rushed to the hospital by a neighbour.
Tau’alupe was initially sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.
However, the judge suspended one and a half years on conditions.
