Son avoids jail term for attempted arson of father's home

A man has avoided jail time after attempting to burn down his father's home, receiving a suspended three-year sentence from the High Court.

Titoko Cabobula Nasema pleaded guilty to attempted arson, an incident that occurred in March at Nadonumai Settlement, Lami. The court heard that Nasema, after returning home intoxicated, threatened to set the house ablaze with his 68-year-old father inside. He then poured fuel inside the home and onto his father before igniting the fire, which started while his father was still present. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before causing major damage.

High Court judge Justice Daniel Goundar emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting the direct threat against Nasema's father within the family home. The judge stated that alcohol did not excuse the actions and was an aggravating factor. However, Nasema's sentence was mitigated by several factors, including his early guilty plea, expressed remorse, a clean prior record, reconciliation with his parents, and his decision to cease drinking alcohol.

The court also took into account that Nasema had since supported his elderly parents and that his father had forgiven him. Consequently, his sentence of three years' imprisonment, reduced by 46 days for time spent in custody, was fully suspended for three years. Nasema will only serve jail time if he commits another offense during this period. A permanent Domestic Violence Restraining Order was also issued to protect his father.