Tailevu Duo Admits Hitting Police Officer On Duty With A Rock
Two Tailevu farmers, who allegedly hit a Police officer with a rock on the back on his head, pleaded guilty in court yesterday.
Friday 08 May 2020 | 10:08
Ilivasi Tabua (left), and Vetaia Roko outside the Nausori Magistrates Court on May 7, 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar.
Two Tailevu farmers, who allegedly hit a Police officer with a rock on the back on his head, pleaded guilty in court yesterday.
Vetaia Roko, 24, and Ilivasi Tabua, 20, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Police officer in the Magistrates Court in Nausori.
They were arrested on Tuesday.
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The two were part of a drinking party, and allegedly assaulted Police Constable Jiutasa Taiki.
Mr Taiki was attending to the report with another officer when there was a commotion, which resulted in the group of suspects arguing.
Mr Taiki tried to control the situation when someone picked up a rock and allegedly hit him on the back of his head.
Roko, Tabua and other suspects, who are yet to be arrested, are all farmers from Naivicula in Tailevu.
In court, the two men chose to represent themselves and waived their rights to counsel before pleading guilty to all the charges.
Roko was charged with two counts of criminal trespass, two of serious assault, one each of indecently annoying a person, failing to comply with a rightful order, damaging property and assault occasioning grievous harm.
Tabua was charged with one count each failing to comply with a rightful order, serious assault and assault occasioning grievous harm.
Police prosecutor Lagi Bulavakarua made an application to present the summary of offence on the next court date.
Roko and Tabua were remanded and will front court on May 11.
Edited by Caroline Ratucadra
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