Raiwai man jailed for iron rod attack on neighbour

A Raiwai man who struck his neighbour on the head with an iron rod as the victim lay helpless in a roadside drain has been jailed for two years and six months by the High Court in Suva.

Inosi Tamatasasa was sentenced by Acting Puisne Judge Waleen George after being convicted of one count of an act intended to cause grievous harm.

The assault occurred on June 19, 2022, along MacFarlane Road in Raiwai during a clash involving youths from Raiwai and Mead Road.

The court heard that the victim, Ravouvou Rokotuibau, was walking through the area when he slipped and fell into a roadside drain.

While the victim was lying in the drain, Tamatasasa ran towards him and struck him on the head with an iron rod, causing injuries to his scalp.

In sentencing, Justice George said the use of a weapon made the offence serious.

The judge adopted a starting sentence of two years and six months, adding 10 months because the victim was vulnerable and had not provoked the attack.

The court reduced the sentence by six months after considering that Tamatasasa was a first-time offender.

His sentence was initially set at two years and 10 months. After taking into account four months already spent in custody, he was ordered to serve a final sentence of two years and six months.

In declining to suspend the sentence, the court said the violent nature of the attack outweighed the hardship imprisonment would cause his family.