A man convicted of stabbing another over missing money has been reminded to reflect on the incident and never again lose control of his emotions.
Justice Lee James Burney made the comment on August 15 when sentencing Rusiate Bokosa, 22, who pleaded guilty to a count of an act with intent to cause grievous harm.
He sentenced Bokosa to four-month imprisonment suspended for three years.
Trial records show that Bokosa and Matavesi Tuikilakila were drinking alcohol with several others on April 4 this year.
Before going to sleep, he counted the money his father gave him, totalling $1245 — $455 for his father’s tithe and $790 to purchase copra for their business. The money was kept in a pencil case.
When Bokosa woke and saw Mr Tuikilakila holding the black pencil case, he threatened to chop him with a knife if the money was missing from it. He then counted the money and discovered his father’s tithe was missing, with only $232 of the business money left. Around 10am the following day, at Tacilevu Village, Bokosa confronted Mr Tuikilakila regarding the missing money then proceeded to punch and stab him with a kitchen knife.
Bokosa admitted he was provoked by the victim, who he claimed had stolen hard-earned tithe money.
However, the victim denied taking the money and forgave Bokosa.
Passing sentence, Justice Burney said Bokosa’s early acceptance of responsibility for his wrongdoing boded well for his rehabilitation and that a suspended sentence was appropriate.
“My impression of you is that you are a dutiful son and a decent young man,” stated the judge at the High Court in Labasa on August 15.
“You are not a hardened criminal, and I feel sure that you have no wish to repeat the experience of your period in custody on remand. You must learn from this experience and never again lose control of your emotions.
“The consequences of your loss of control in stabbing Matavesi could have been very much worse.”