A MAN who hits a woman’s head with a stone in Avuavu, Guadalcanal has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison.
The defendant Benjamin Iniga, 24, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one count of Grievous Harm.
Principal Magistrate Taeburi imposed the sentenced after she found that even though Iniga displayed abnormal mental behaviours, he had the capability to understand what he was doing.
She said the defendant planned and calculated the attack before he committed the offence.
“I therefore find that at the time of the offending, although he was displaying abnormal mental behaviors, he had the capability to understand what he was doing.
“I therefore disregard that he was insane at the time of the offending.”
The incident happened on 26 January 2024, at Kidivoroa Village in Avuavu, Guadalcanal.
Iniga followed the complainant to the side of a river when he attacked her by hitting her head with a stone.
The complainant fell down and became unconscious.
She was transported to the Avuavu mini hospital that same day and was admitted for seven days.
Iniga’s matter was listed for sentence last month but Magistrate Taeburi wanted more information to ascertain whether or not Iniga was sane when he committed the offence.
Magistrate Taeburi said the facts in this case were sufficient for sentence but were not sufficient to determine that issue.
The court had previously heard that Iniga is suffering from a medical condition.
A medical report early this year stated Iniga has a history of Marijuana abuse and also stated Iniga has displayed some abnormal behaviour.
After his arrest, Iniga was put into Rove Correctional Centre where he stopped taking Marijuana and he took his medication and his state of mind improved.
Another assessment was done and found Iniga was fit to take his plea and he entered a guilty plea.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
