TWO women who confessed to assaulting another woman over a sexual arrangement have been sentenced to fines in Magistrate court yesterday.
The principal offender, Anna Vathagi, 29, and her co-defendant, Lisa Kope, 40, have pleaded guilty to Common Assault.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea imposed a fine of $1,500 on Vathagi and $1,000 on Kope.
Initially, the women were charged with Unlawful Wounding, but the prosecution reduced the charged after reviewing the victim’s medical report.
The incident occurred on 2 July 2024, at the Tetere Estate Office compound of the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL 2), in Guadalcanal.
The victim, a friend of Vathagi, was attached by the defendants, who are sisters-in-law.
At that time the victim preparing chemical for spraying at the GGPOL 2 Tetere Estate Office chemical shed when the two defendants approached her.
According to the agreed facts, Kope grabbed the victim’s right hand held it tightly, while Vathagi grabbed her other hand and hit her on her forehead once with a stone.
The victim fell to the ground, crying out in severe pain as blood ran out of her forehead.
Although the victim was injured, the wound was minor.
The two defendants were arrested on 12 August 2024, and have since reconciled with the victim.
The incident stemmed from an arrangement by the victim for Vathagi’s husband to have sexual affair with another girl.
Ron Dickey Pulekera and Bobby Harunari of the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) represented the defendants, while Public Prosecutor Herrick Lautalo is appearing on behalf of the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
