Man sentenced to 4 months for assaulting wife

A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to four months imprisonment for assault occasioning actual bodily harm by the Nausori Magistrates Court.

According to the summary of facts, on 28th August this year Jiuta Tokaduadua punched his wife’s head and face as she was returning from her mother’s place.

Tokaduadua met his wife and got angry.

He also dragged her from the roadside to their home and again punched her causing multiple injuries on her body.

Tokaduadua pleaded guilty to the offence.

As mitigation, Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne considered that Tokaduadua was 34-years-old, married with four children and is a farmer.

The Magistrate considered the abuse of trust and power; impact of the offence on their children as well as history of disobedience to court orders as aggravating factors.

While delivering the sentence, Magistrate Somaratne said without any justification the man assaulted his wife on the road and dragged her to their home and repeated the same thing.

He said unfortunately this is not the first time he has unleashed his violence on his wife.

Magistrate Somaratne said previously he also assaulted his wife and after being convicted the court gave a fine of $100.

He said it appears that he has considered the leniency shown by the court as a weakness and continued to torment his wife.

For the safety of the victim, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has also been granted by Magistrate Somaratne.