Koa hill bus stabbing case returns, April 17
THE young man accused of stabbing a man inside a public bus along the Koa Hill road, Honiara in January will appear in court again on April 17.
The adjournment was made to allow police to complete their investigation into this matter.
The matter of Davidson Daniel Donga, 20, who faces a charge of unlawful wounding was mentioned in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where it was heard an investigation is ongoing.
The incident in this matter is said to have occurred on 19 January 2023 late afternoon, when the 19-year-old victim was on his way home on a public bus.
The victim boarded the bus at the Honiara City Council Skyline Bus Stop.
The prosecution alleged the victim and the defendant sat next to each other right behind the bus driver’s seat.
The bus went on its way and stopped over at Koa Hill bus stop when the incident took place.
Donga allegedly grabbed the victim’s phone and tried to escape but the victim grabbed onto him.
During the struggle, Donga allegedly stabbed the victim with scissors, took his phone and got off the bus.
The victim was dropped off at his bus stop and was helped by some boys and other public buses who were there and rushed him to the National Referral Hospital.
Investigation into murder case yet to complete
POLICE are yet to complete their investigation into the matter of a man accused of the murder of his sister that occurred in January at Sumate, West Guadalcanal.
The accused, Daniel Suiramo, 27, is facing one count of murder.
He appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court and his matter was further adjourned to tomorrow.
It was heard yesterday that police are yet to complete their investigation.
Police are also yet to return the case file containing this matter to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Public Prosecutor Nickson Tonowane had appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court without the file.
Suiramo has been charged in relation to the allegation on the morning of 5 January this year at Sumate.
The deceased was washing rice at the tank when Suiramo allegedly shot her with a bush knife into her right leg.
The knife went through to the other side of her leg.
It was alleged that their mother told them not to eat the nuts she prepared for market the next day before she went to church.
When their mother left, Suiramo allegedly took some of the nuts and ate them.
Upon their mother’s return, the deceased reported what the accused did to their mother and that is when Suiramo allegedly got angry and shot his sister with the bush knife.
The deceased was transported for medical attention at the National Referral Hospital and died a few days after the incident.
Wife assaulter fined, placed on good behaviour
A MAN who pleaded guilty to hitting his wife twice in her face after an argument with her about money has been fined $500.
He was also placed on a good behaviour bond worth $300 for a one-year period.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi, in her sentencing of the accused, considered the assault as having been committed on a weaker human being.
“As a matter of general knowledge, a woman is physically weaker compared to a man,” she said.
Magistrate Taeburi said she considered the fact that women in our society have always been subjected to violence and abuse.
“This has led our governments in the past and present to take steps to stop violence in our homes.
“The enactment of the Family Protection Act 2014 is an example of the steps taken by our legislature to stop the violence.
“The courts therefore also play their part when sentencing offenders to send the message in our societies that violence against women is not tolerated,” she added.
Magistrate Taeburi further added that as individuals, both men and women can also play their part to ensure their homes are safe and free from violence.
In terms of mitigation in favour of the accused, Magistrate Taeburi said she also considered that the accused was provoked to some extent.
It has been heard that prior to the assault, the accused and his wife were arguing about money and his wife swore at him.
Magistrate Taeburi said the swear words used by the accused’s wife were in custom very offending.
She said any man in the shoes of the accused would have been provoked.
“I must also say that women too must learn to respect and honour their husbands.
“Abuse comes in many forms.
“Swearing is verbal abuse,” she said.
Having said that, Magistrate Taeburi said she must also emphasise that there is no jurisdiction for any act of violence.
She told the accused that in any given situation, all must practice some form of self-control and must also learn to resolve disagreements through peaceful means.
“As the heard of the family, the accused and other husbands and fathers must take lead in ensuring that disagreements in the domestic settings are resolved amicably and peacefully.”
The court heard that the accused and his wife have now resolved their issue and are now living together as a family.
The accused has 14 days from yesterday to pay his fine.
If he fails to pay his fine within the 14-day period, he will be sent to serve a 20-day prison term.
Public Solicitor, Rochelle Palmer, represented the accused, while Police Prosecutor, Terrence Vildam, appeared for the Crown.
