A man who stabbed a woman’s face with a stick used to stir koko (cocoa) Samoa beans has pleaded guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm. 

Afa Tila, 38, of Satuimalufilufi entered his plea when he appeared before the Supreme Court yesterday. 

Justice Leitaualesa Daryl Clarke presided with Attorney General lawyer, Lucy Sio – Ofoia, the prosecutor. 

In entering his plea, Tila told the Court he was drunk at the time he stabbed the victim below her right eye. 

He did not want to be represented by a lawyer. 

Mrs. Ofoia disputed the claim from the defendant saying the police report indicates he was not under the influence of alcohol. 

Justice Leiataualesa referred the matter to the Alcohol and Drugs Court to be investigated and to report back at 12:30pm yesterday. 

When the matter was called again, it was found that Tila was not eligible to be referred to the Alcohol and Drugs Court. 

Justice Leiataualesa adjourned the matter for sentencing on 21 May 2019. 

Tila has been remanded on bail until the decision is delivered. 

The defendant was in a defacto-relationship with the victim, an 18-year-old from the same village. 

A summary of facts stated that on 6 March 2019, the defendant went to find the victim who was in the kitchen preparing cocoa. 

On that day, the pair got into a verbal exchange.

The defendant  pulled the stick used to stir cocoa and attacked the victim with it.

He stabbed her twice, with one of the stabs hitting the victim just below her right eye.  

The victim survived. 

She was in Court yesterday.