Iron rod assault lands man in jail

A man from Raiwaqa has been sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment for an assault involving an iron rod during a street brawl. Acting Puisne Judge Waleen George delivered the sentence to Inosi Tamatasasa after he was found guilty of an act intended to cause grievous harm under the Crimes Act 2009.

The court heard that the incident took place on June 19, 2022, on MacFarlane Road in Raiwaqa. A confrontation between youths from Raiwai and Mead Road escalated when the victim fell into a drain. Tamatasasa then approached the victim and struck him on the head with an iron rod, causing injuries to his right scalp.

Judge George characterized the offense as serious, noting that a weapon was used against a person who was helpless in the drain. The court set a starting point of two years and six months imprisonment, adding 10 months due to the aggravating factor that the victim posed no threat and had not provoked the attack. However, six months were deducted because Tamatasasa is a first-time offender. After further deducting four months for time already spent in custody, his final sentence was confirmed at two years and six months, effective immediately. The judge acknowledged potential financial challenges for Tamatasasa's children but emphasized that the seriousness of his actions warranted a custodial sentence.