A FATHER of four who assaulted his cousin brother at Yandina, Central Province in 2013, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, Tuesday.
However, since Walton Fakari, 24,had already served about nine to 10 months in custody while waiting for his matter to be finalised, he was released at the rising of the court.
Magistrate Fatima Taeburi during the sentencing told Fakari that his cousin brother Frazer Isaiah was older than him and he is his cousin brother.
“You should have shown him respect, but in this case you did not,” Mrs Taeburi told the accused.
“There is also an element of trust here,” she added.
“People in the same family and live in the same house are supposed to take care of each other.
“In this case, you assaulted your own family member and you have breached that trust,” Ms Taeburi told Fakari.
She added that the assault was unprovoked.
Fakari had pleaded guilty to the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm for the incident on the evening of 20 August 2013.
His lawyer told the court during mitigation that Fakari was upset with Mr Isaiah and assaulted him because he refused to assist him with the preparation of an esky of fish for shipment to Honiara.
Henry Kausimae of Public Solicitor’s Office told the court that after Fakari done the work, and was on his way back home, he met Isaiah walking towards the market stall.
The court heard yesterday Fakari punched Isaiah’s right ear with his hand and Isaiah fell to the ground.
Whilst he was still lying down on the ground, Fakari kicked him on his chest.
He sustained injuries to his ear and mouth and was taken to Yandina clinic for medical treatment.
Fakari had already reconciled with Isaiah and paid $1,500 in compensation February this year.
Ms Taeburi considered both the aggravating features and the mitigating factors and imposed the sentence of six months in which she said to be included with total number of days he has spent in custody in relation to this offence.
Police Prosecutor Wilson Sura’au appeared for the State in this matter.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
