Men plead guilty to arson at woman's house

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 16 October 2020, 7:40PM

Two men from Tulaele have pleaded guilty to charges of arson, when they attempted to burn the house of a woman from the same village, in February this year. 

Etimani Ioane Napoleona and Paino Napoleone Manuleleua pleaded guilty to arson and insulting words, charges which arose from a dispute at Tulaele on 14 February 2020. 

According to charges filed by Police, the defendants were armed with a kerosene bottle at Tulaele with the intention to burn the house of a woman from the same village. 

During the course of their alleged offence, the men made insulting words towards the complainant. 

The Court heard that the men also allegedly threw stones at a Police vehicle and a Police officer. 

The men denied the charges of throwing stones and endangering the Police vehicle. 

Prior to entering their plea, the men told the Court they did not want a lawyer to represent them. 

Prosecutor and Attorney General’s Office lawyer, Lucy Sio Ofoia then sought an a hearing date for the charges the men pleaded not guilty to. 

She also opposed bail for the men due to similar offence the defendants were charged with in the past. 

The men are currently in custody. 

But Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma asked prosecution to provide a file of the men’s previous conviction. 

He asked that the prosecution provide the list of those convictions so he can consider if the defendants should still remain in custody pending their hearing. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 16 October 2020, 7:40PM

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