A TAIWANESE, who pleaded guilty to one count of common assault, has been given a conditional discharge.
Sean Warren Hou, 53, had earlier denied the allegation.
His matter was listed for trial twice before he decided to enter a guilty plea yesterday when it came for trial.
Hou is without a lawyer after his lawyer withdrew his legal representation.
The accused pleaded guilty to one count of common assault in which he assaulted Joseph Hoasihau on 22 July 2013 in front of the Central Police Station.
The incident occurred early that day when the complainant was approached by two unknown persons at Point Cruz who asked the complainant to follow them in a taxi.
The complainant was in fear because of information of threats he received earlier regarding alluvial gold owned by the accused.
He refused to follow the men in the taxi and suggested they walked down to the Central Police Station to discuss the gold.
Upon arrival at the Central Police Station, they all sat down and started to discuss the gold issue when Hou arrived and confronted the complainant.
He asked the complainant his gold and without saying anything further he grabbed hold of the complainant’s fingers, causing him pain.
Hou told the court yesterday during the mitigation that he was remorseful for what he did and admitted the offence.
He said he was only intending to grab hold of the complainant’s phone but complainant lift his hand blocking him, which is why he grabbed his fingers.
Magistrate Esther Lelapitu conditionally discharged Hou without conviction under section 35 of the Penal Code.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
