Patelesio Mafi (66) received a three-year suspended sentence on Wednesday, June 11 for attacking his nephew Richard Mafi (39) with a machete at the family Ha’amoko Bakery in 2011. He was ordered to pay $1,000 in compensation to the victim.

On March 28 this year, a jury found the accused guilty of one count of grievous bodily harm. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on April 25. which was adjourned so the judge could hear from the Commissioner of Prisons and doctor about the accused health condition.

Patelesio had suffered a heart attack while in custody and was taken to the hospital. He has since remained on bail at home due to his health condition.

Declining fortunes

Mr Justice Cato said it was plain to him that what occurred concerned the declining fortunes of the family business and a decreasing weekly stipend paid to Patelesio, causing a serious rift between him and other members of the Mafi family.

After he learned the price of pies consumed by his son on credit had been deducted from his stipend, this led to his temporarily losing reason and taking his anger out on his nephew who was the manager of the business. “He is very lucky that he is not facing sentencing on a much more serious charge,” said the judge.

He said fortunately, Richard received very appropriate and timely medical treatment for his head wound, a disrupted artery, at the hospital. “I have heard no evidence that he is suffering from any ill effects at all,” he said.

Justice Cato had also received a short-signed statement from the victim that he had accepted his uncle’s apology and did not want to see him imprisoned.

"The starting point is six-years imprisonment. Had there been had there been serious permanent injury the starting point could have been higher....the use of a machete which is potentially a lethal weapon as an instrument of violence must be denounced,” said the judge.

Sentence

Justice Cato imposed a three-year imprisonment sentence suspended in total for two-years after considering mitigating factors. 

This included that the accused was a first time offender, and was unlikely to commit any further offence; his ill health; and that he will receive appropriate supervison and care in his own home closer to hospital; as well as his apology to his nephew.

He ordered the suspended sentence on conditions that he must stay at home with his wife or caregiver that is suitable to his probation officer and is only permitted to leave home to visit his doctor, attend church or do his shopping, and attend hospital if required.

He can only visit friends or family where accompanied by the caregiver or wife and he can only attend any place of business of the Mafi family when required by Richard and in the company of the caregiver.

The judge also ordered Patelesio to pay to court the sum of $1,000 to be paid to the victim as soon as possible, among other conditions.

Patelesio was a minor shareholder of the Ha‘amoko Bakery; the major shareholder was his brother, the late Sepa Mafi.

Richard is a son of Sepa and it was normal practice that Sepa would gift his siblings a $300 weekly allowance.

Prior to 15 February 2011, the accused's son bought two meat pies on credit at the bakery so the total cost of the pies was deducted from his $300 weekly allowance. On February 15, Richard was working at the bakery office when the accused came in and questioned him about the deduction in his allowance.

The victim explained that it was for the two meat pies that his son had bought on credit. Patelesio was angry and committed the offence.