A MAN, who allegedly stabbed his niece with a knife at White River, West Honiara last November, has been granted bail in the Honiara Magistrate Court.
This followed a bail application made for defendant James Sugegeo, who faces one count of Unlawful Wounding.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, but asked for the imposition of strict bail conditions.
Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa, in granting bail for Sugegeo on Wednesday, also imposed strict bail conditions that restrict him from leaving Guadalcanal island and oblige him to keep the peace, be of good behaviour and to attend all his court hearings.
The court also imposed a principal bail of $500 on his surety – his wife.
Sugegeo was initially charged with an Act Intended to Cause Grievous Harm, but this was later reduced to the current charge of Unlawful Wounding.
Sugegeo has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for January 29.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident occurred in the early hours of 10 November 2024 when the alleged victim was attending a fundraiser at Red Label in White River, with her parents.
The defendant allegedly attacked her after an argument broke out between them.
He was said, to be under the influence of Kwaso at that time.
Sugegeo allegedly knocked the alleged victim to the ground and stabbed her in the right ribs with a knife.
He then escaped when the alleged victim’s mother intervened, rushing to her daughter’s rescue.
The alleged victim was rushed to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) for medical assistance with the help of police.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
