A 24-year-old man who repeatedly broke into family homes while residents were sleeping and assaulted one victim during a 2022 burglary has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Supreme Court of Samoa.

Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke delivered the oral sentence for Sefo Eusipio on 17 November, after the accused pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, and one charge of assault causing injury. Eusipio of Fusi Saoluafata, Lufilufi and Luatuanuu represented himself.

According to the agreed summary of facts, Eusipio committed four separate home invasions between 2019 and July 2025 in Luatuanuu, Alafua and Maluafou. In each incident, he targeted homes at night and stole items while occupants, including children, were asleep.

The most serious offending occurred in November 2022 at Alafua, when a resident awoke and tried to stop him. Eusipio fought the man off, throwing him to the ground, kicking him and slamming him against a stove. The victim required stitches, suffered a broken toe and was bedridden for two weeks.

Justice Leiataualesa said the pattern of offending was aggravated by the fact that Eusipio was repeatedly granted bail after each arrest but failed to return to court and went on to commit further burglaries.

“There were seriously aggravating features to your offending, and they demonstrate your brazen disregard for the law and the directions of the court,” he told the defendant.

Victim impact reports detailed the physical and emotional harm caused. One woman from the most recent burglary said she continues to feel fear at night, constantly listening for signs of another break-in.

The total value of property stolen across the four incidents was $5,849, though the court noted that some items were recovered.

Eusipio will serve three years’ imprisonment, with all lesser sentences ranging from three to 12 months, ordered to run concurrently.