BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
A man who attacked his victims when they caught him spying in their homes has been sentenced to eight months’ jail time.
David Afukese pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding regarding an incident on October 11, 2021.
Interestingly, there is no charge for trespass and voyeurism (commonly known as “creeping” in the Solomon Islands).
The incident occurred at about 12 midnight on October 11, 2021.
The first victim was about to sleep when he heard the neighbours shouting; he looked out the window and saw his neighbour walking along the road.
He asked his neighbour what was happening and he replied that someone was creeping at their house.
Whilst the first victim and other neighbours were looking for that person, they heard screaming coming from the convenient room at the first victim’s house.
The victim walked over to the convenient room and saw the accused next to it.
The victim then pushed Afukese and they exchanged punches.
It was at that time the second victim intervened and tried to pull out Afukese who was on top of the first victim.
At that time Afukese turned around, tackled the second victim and threw him onto the broken cement brick and clay cutlery; as a result the second victim sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea in his sentencing said the guilty plea entered by Afukese saved court’s time and resources and reflected his remorse.
“I note the circumstances of the offending, it was a spur of the moment incident. There was no pre-planning of the actions he did against the victims,” Iomea said.
Therefore, considering the sentencing and mitigation submissions, he sentenced Afukese to eight months in jail.
Iomea said the sentence not only serves as punishment but also carries the message of deterrence to the public.
Rochelle Palmer of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused while Francisca Luza of the Director Public Prosecution’s appears for the crown.
ENDS///
