A 24-year-old man was sentenced today to four-years and six-months imprisonment for causing grievous harm, when he hit a man on the head with an iron rod and then punched another in 'Utui, Vava'u.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu jailed Samisoni Tu’i'onetoa, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court for causing grievous bodily harm to Lotolua Fisi'ihoi by hitting his head causing a fracture to it, with an irod.

He was also sentenced for assaulting the complainant's younger brother Halemoana Fisi'ihoi, whom he punched on the face on February 15, 2020.

 Co-aacused

At the same time, his co-accused Sitiveni Pomale Moala (25) who assaulted Halemoana by kicking him was sentenced to three-months imprisonment. This was fully suspended on conditions.

The Crown submitted that Samisoni had far more aggravating factors than mitigating factors, which included hitting the complainant three times with a deadly weapon, a metal pipe.

Lotolua did nothing to anybody to provoke being hit, 
Lotolua was helping his brother Halemoana to try and stop the fight. The wound caused to Lotolua was serious, a cracked skull, said the Crown.

Due to the severity of his offences, the judge sentenced Samisoni to four-years six-months imprisonment. But with the last 18-months suspended two-years, on conditions.

Both men were first time offenders.