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Man jailed for attack on off duty Samoa police officer

Apia, SAMOA — A man who attacked an off duty Police Officer outside a local nightclub has been given six months at Tafa’igata Prison to learn his lesson.

Nofoa Ainu’u was sentenced to six months imprisonment in connection to the assault. The sentence was handed down by Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu this week. 

Ainu’u of Faleapuna and Moamoa appeared for sentencing on one charge of causing actual bodily harm. He also faced one charge of possession of narcotics. 

According to the summary of facts, on 1 October 2017, shortly after midnight, the victim was walking back to the R.S.A. nightclub when the accused punched him on the jaw. 

The victim fell down on the road and was unconscious. 

 “The accused then fled the scene leaving the victim unconscious on the road. The security guards from the R.S.A. and National Bank who saw what happened carried the victim onto a pick up vehicle and took him to the hospital. 

 “The victim was found to have suffered a laceration on his head. The accused was apprehended from the Fugalei Market by the Police the same night and taken to the Apia Police Station. When searched by the Police, a half marijuana joint was found on the accused.” 

Ainu’u told the probation service and the Court that at the time of this incident, he had been drinking with some of his cousins.

He said the victim demanded that he give him the beer. The accused also claimed the victim demanded that he should respect him because he is a Policeman. 

Ainu’u did not mind what the victim said to him but his cousins told him that they did not like the victim’s attitude. 

 “This made the accused angry towards the victim and was the reason for him punching the victim.

His Honour Patu noted that a significant amount of force was used by the accused when he punched the victim; otherwise the victim would not have fallen down and became unconscious.

Read more at Samoa Observer