Nabua assault accused gets bail under strict conditions

A man accused of assaulting the son of a military officer has been granted bail with strict conditions, including a nightly curfew.

Laisiasa Bavai appeared before Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne at the Suva Magistrate Court, where the court ordered him to remain at home daily from 8pm to 5am.

As part of his bail conditions, Bavai must report to Valelevu Police Station every Monday, Thursday and Friday. He has also been ordered to surrender all travel documents and is not allowed to change his residential address.

The court set a non-cash bail bond of $1000 for Bavai, while two sureties were also required to provide non-cash bail bonds of $1000 each.

While granting bail, Magistrate Somaratne said Bavai was presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. He also noted that Bavai had complied with bail conditions in other matters currently before the Magistrates Court.

The magistrate also referred to claims that Bavai was allegedly assaulted by military officers while in police custody after his arrest.

However, Magistrate Somaratne said the question of whether Bavai was safer in custody or outside was not relevant, noting that he would be staying with his family at Tacirua Heights.

Bavai and another accused person are facing charges linked to an incident alleged to have taken place on Mead Road in Nabua on May 2.

Police allege Bavai abducted a man with the intention of causing serious harm. He is also facing a separate charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The matter has been adjourned to June 15 for a pre-trial conference.