A 35-YEAR-OLD accused of causing the death of his one-year-old son is seeking bail because of fear of contracting HIV at the remand centre.
This is Sairusi Ceinaturaga’s second bail application before High Court judge Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull.
Mr Ceinaturaga faces a count each of assault and murder which he allegedly committed at Vunidawa settlement, Cunningham, Suva on October 17 last year.
Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to slapping his 27-year-old de-facto partner while she was preparing a meal. He has, however, denied hitting his son with a spoon and then hitting his face against a wall before throwing him down on a mattress.
Justice Bull reminded him that for his bail application to be successful, Mr Ceinaturaga needs to show a material change of circumstances.
Mr Ceinaturaga has also opted to obtain the legal representation of a private lawyer, but he could not provide the court with the lawyer’s name. When asked the reason for not wanting to be represented by the Legal Aid Commission, he said that in the eight months that he’s been remanded, an LAC lawyer only visited him three times.
Mr Ceinaturaga assured the court he has the financial means to obtain a private lawyer. Justice Bull advised him to seek the assistance of family members for a lawyer.
Meanwhile, State prosecutor Unal Lal remains opposed to the bail application.
Mr Ceinaturaga’s first bail application was refused on April 7.
The case has been adjourned to June 20.
