A Kadavu man who is accused of attempting to kill his wife will have his two files (attempted murder charge and breaching domestic violence restraining order charge) consolidated.

The accused, Joni Malaulau, is charged with one count of attempted murder.

The matter was called before Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, however, Malaulau was not present in court.

He is also facing a charge of breach of domestic violence restraining order (DVRO), which was heard before the Magistrates Court.

It is alleged that Malaulau on October 1, 2019, at Gasele Village, Yale, in Kadavu, attempted to cause the death of Rusila Cabebula by striking her with a cane knife, and at the time Malaulau intended to cause Ms Cabebula’s death by his conduct.

The court heard that the accused had a DVRO imposed on him when the alleged incident took place.

Justice Rajasinghe said after considering the matter, the court allowed the charge of breach of DVRO to be called with the substantive matter.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rajneel Kumar told the court that the State would consolidate the charges and file amended Information.

The matter has been adjourned for mention for plea on February 3, 2020. Malaulau’s bail matter will be called before Justice Rajasinghe on December 10.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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