A 22-year-old man convicted of stabbing another man over missing tithe and business money has avoided immediate jail time, after the High Court in Labasa found he was not a hardened criminal but a young man who lost control in the heat of the moment.
Rusiate Bokosa was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for an act with intent to cause grievous harm.
Justice Lee Burney suspended the remaining four months for three years, meaning he will serve no further time unless he reoffends.
Mr Bokosa pleaded guilty to stabbing Matavesi Tuikilakila in the thigh during a confrontation at Tacilevu Village in April.
The court heard Mr Bokosa believed Mr Tuikilakila had stolen his father’s tithe and business funds after a drinking party.
Mr Bokosa admitted taking a knife to the scene and acting out of anger.
In sentencing on August 15, Justice Burney acknowledged the seriousness of knife crime, but said Bokosa’s youth, clean record, early guilty plea, and the victim’s forgiveness were strong mitigating factors.
“My impression of you is that you are a dutiful son and a decent young man,” he said.
“You are not a hardened criminal. You must learn from this experience and never again lose control of your emotions.”