BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Magistrates’ court has imposed a sentence fine of $2,700 on a man who pled guilty to slapping his wife while she was carrying their baby for a medical checkup, after he got frustrated, accusing his wife of hiding his diving gear.
The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, was charged with one count of Domestic violence in the form of physical abuse.
The complainant and the defendant were both married and had three children. Both were residing in their village in the Central Islands Province.
According to court documents, the complainant hid the defendants’ diving gear after she suspected her husband of stealing the speaker from where she had charged it.
The court heard that the defendant was carrying their baby for a medical checkup at the clinic station in their village when he pulled the complainant by her shirt. The defendant then slapped her in the mouth with his right hand; as a result, the complainant had to attend the clinic for medical attention.
Principal Magistrate Mrs Hilly Elma Veenah Rizu delivered her sentence yesterday.
Principal Magistrate Mrs Riru imposed a fine sentence starting point of $4,000. She further deducted $1,300 to reflect the mitigating and personal circumstances of the defendant.
The $2,700 fine is due to the court by Monday, June 1.
In default of payment, the defendant will serve a further 6 months imprisonment at the Rove Correctional Centre.
The Court has also imposed a ‘Final Protection Order’ which has conditions directing that the defendant not commit domestic violence on the victim within five years.
The other condition the court imposed was for the defendant not to commit domestic violence against the complainant in the presence of their three children.
Court documents show that their quarrel began earlier in December 2024, when the defendant left for Guadalcanal Province to receive payment for their daughter’s marriage. In Guadalcanal, he instead ended up with another woman, whom he impregnated.
The court has heard that in July of last year, the defendant returned to their village. This had caused frustration to the complainant and their people.
A reconciliation was held, in which the defendant paid compensation to the complainant’s family, but has yet to compensate the complainant and their children for what he did back in the Guadalcanal province, the court was told.
Police Constable Florence Hiroshachi from the Police Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the matter, and Private Defence lawyer, Joseph Iroga from Florida International, represented the defendant.
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