The Court will impose a custodial sentence for the man who stabbed a woman’s face with a stick in March this year. 

Afa Tila, 38, of Satuimalufilufi pleaded guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm against a woman he was in a defacto-relationship with from the same village.

He was scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday before Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke. But the sentencing did not go ahead because a pre-sentencing report for the defendant was not ready.  

“I did not go to see the probation officer (for pre-sentencing report) because the police took me straight to Tafaigata prison,” Tila told the Court. 

However, Justice Leiataualesa told the defendant that he had other days to see the probation officer. 

Prosecutor and Attorney General’s Office lawyer, Fuifui Ioane said prosecution proposes a custodial term for the defendant. 

Justice Leiataualesa agreed saying that the offending is very serious. 

He then adjourned the matter for sentencing to 21 June 2019 with Tila remanded in custody. 

In April this year when Tila appeared for mention, he said he was drunk at the time he stabbed the victim just below her right eye. 

But prosecution denied the claim from Tila, arguing that the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offending. 

The matter was then referred to the Alcohol and Drugs Court to be investigated, if the defendant was eligible to be transferred to the Court. It was later found that Tila was not eligible.  

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

They later got into a verbal exchange, which resulted into the defendant attempting to attack the woman with the stick used to stir koko Samoa. 

He stabbed her twice, with one of the attempts jabbing the victim below her right eye. 

The woman is still alive.