Island Nightclub alleged murder case back in Court
THE woman accused of the death of her partner at the Island Nightclub in Henderson area, East of Honiara in last February will return to court today.
The matter of Janet Savugi, 33, who is facing one count of murder was listed in the High Court today for a pre-trial hearing.
He had already entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge early this year.
Trial dates to hear evidences into this matter is likely to be fixed after this hearing.
Savugi was charged in relation to an allegation at about 2am on 16 February 2020 at the Island Nightclub.
Prosecution alleged she punched her partner after she saw him talking with another female at the nightclub.
The punch allegedly landed on the deceased’s right eye and he fell back onto the floor unconscious.
The deceased was assisted by the Island nightclub securities and he was transported to his home after he regained his conscious.
Following the incident it was alleged the deceased felt unwell.
The next day, the deceased was rushed to the National Referral Hospital but unfortunately died later.
Lawyer to make ‘No case to answer’ sub on rape case
LAWYER representing a man on trial for the alleged rape of a 19 year-old girl in Central Islands Province last year will be making a ‘No case to answer’ submission today.
This followed the end of the prosecution case yesterday.
The young man is on trial for one count of rape and one count of using threatening words.
The trial that started on Tuesday saw three witnesses called to the witness box to give evidence for the prosecution case.
At the close of the prosecution case yesterday, Public Solicitor’s lawyer Ben Alasia informed the court that he intends to make an application of the ‘No case to answer.’
Public Prosecutor, Elma Rizzu Hilly informed the court that she had not prepared written submissions to respond to that defence’s intended application.
Having heard from both counsels, Justice Maelyn Bird adjourned the matter to today for the hearing of the ‘no case to answer’ submissions.
The purpose of a no case to answer submission is made when the defence considered that prosecution does not support a finding of guilt and that the court should dismissed the charge without the defence having to present a case.
The young accused is facing charges relating to two separate allegations that happened in February 2020 in Yandina, Russel Islands in the Central Islands Province.
Prosecution alleged in one of the offending, he raped a 19 year-old girl and on another occasion he allegedly used threatening words to another man.
Mrs Hilly is being assisted in this trial by her colleague Myrella Cleven.
Man jailed for failed robbery attempt
A MAN who launched a failed robbery attempt at a shop at Point Cruz, Honiara in 2018 has been sentenced to four years in prison yesterday.
Nathanial Jnr Eric was convicted of one count of robbery after a trial was conducted in the High Court.
Justice Maelyn Bird in sentencing Eric urged him to learn to fend for his young family and his elderly parents in an honest and dignified way.
“You do not have to resort to crime in order to care for and maintain your family,” Ms Bird said.
She added that Eric is a young man of 27 years of age and at his age he is capable of making ends meet for their upkeep.
The incident happened at F.J shop next to the fuel station at Point Cruz on between 8.30pm to 9pm on 7 December 2018.
Eric covered his face with a balaclava or ski mask, went into the shop and attacked the complainant.
Justice Bird said Eric’s attempt to rob was unsuccessful because he was restrained and he escaped.
“You did not gain any money from your unlawful act.
“Nonetheless you must realise that what you did on that occasion is of no excuse and uncalled for.
Eric escaped leaving his cap and bag behind.
The bag, cap and CCTV footages of the attack were handed to police who later arrested him the following night.
Justice Bird said it was submitted by the prosecution that there were several aggravating features in Eric’s offending.
“The pre-planning was evident from how you were dressed so that your identity could be obscured from people around you.
“Secondly is that the robbery was carried out with violence.
“From the CCTV footage you attacked the complainant with a bush knife.
She said Eric struck the complainant with the knife when he tried to restrain him and as a result the complainant had sustained injury..
“The third aggravating feature was that the offending was carried out against a business house.
She said the business employs Solomon Islanders as shop keepers so it provides employment to nationals.
Justice Bird added that the business also pays tax to the government and thereby contributed to the country’s economy.
“Another aggravating feature in your offending is the adverse effect it has on international community and the potential investors.
“They will see Solomon Islands as an unsafe place to invest in.
“What you have done would portray a very bad picture of our beloved country to the international community at large,” Justice Bird told Eric.
The court heard that apart from stating his remorsefulness’ and promising to make a change to his life, Eric also asked the court to exercise mercy on him.
Justice Bird told Eric that suspension of part Eric’s sentence pursuant to section 44 of the Penal code cap 26 is not available to him for the reason he was armed with a bush knife at the time of the offending.
She said she had also looked into account and considers the option of imposing a residence order on him but he is also co-accused in another robbery matter that is still pending before the High Court.
She imposed a five years imprisonment term but then deducted one year for Eric’s plea for mercy.
The time Eric spent in pre-trial custody was ordered to be deducted from the sentence.
