A man who struck his cousin's husband on the head with a machete was sentenced to two years and three months in jail by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Lameko Sakaria, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing grievous bodily harm. Sakaraia intervened with the machete as the husband and wife were involved in an argument.

According to the police summary of facts, on 11 November 2022, the defendant's sister told her son to go to the 'umu' and ask the defendant if he had a lighter.

The boy was told by the victim to ask his mother if she had a cloth to filter the kava (ie palu ava) which the boy took back to the defendant.

The victim saw the ie was old and most parts were ripped (masaesae) and that's when he told the kid, "The ie looks like your mother."

The child went back crying to his mother and told her what the victim said which made her angry and she had a war of words with the victim.

The defendant heard that his sister was arguing and went straight to the umu where the victim was standing and struck him on the head with a machete. 

The defendant struck the victim twice. The victim blocked the second blow with his hand.

According to the summary of facts, the victim sustained serious injuries to his head and hands which required a month and a half of treatment at the hospital.

Delivering her sentencing, Judge Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa told the defendant that what he did to the victim was serious, especially aiming at his head using a machete.

"There is no excuse for your actions and an imprisonment term is what the court will give you because of the permanent injuries you have caused the victim," Justice Niava said.

The court came up with a starting point of five years imprisonment but 12 months were deducted from an ifoga that was done and another 36 months for pleading guilty to the charges against him.

Sakaria was jailed for two years and three months.