A man of Nakawakawa Village in Bua who punched his wife with fist and beat her with a broom in anger was convicted by the Labasa Magistrates Court yesterday.

Ropate Qalo appeared before Magistrate Seini Puamau charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, one count of acting with intent to cause grievous harm and one count of criminal intimidation.

Magistrate Puamau told the court the accused repeatedly asked his wife, Alumita Asinate, that when she went to fetch water whether there were a lot of men around and she replied, “No”.

She further revealed that the victim informed the court during the trial that Qalo repeatedly punched her back and then picked up a broom and hit her, causing injuries to her right rib cage, right ankle, right hand, and right shoulder.

The court heard that while he was beating her up, he warned her not to shout out or yell otherwise he would chop her head with an axe.

The alleged incident happened on January 31, 2019.

Magistrate Puamau said she was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Qalo caused grievous harm to the victim, unlawfully wounded her with intent.

She said the wife managed to escape from the house when a neighbour turned up to the house to see what was going on and reported the matter to Police.

The case has been adjourned to today for sentencing.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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