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Republic v Teuanang - Sentence [2006] KIHC 117; 5-06 (20 November 2006)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KIRIBATI
Criminal Jurisdiction
Held at Betio
Republic of Kiribati

High Court Criminal Case 35 of 2006

THE REPUBLIC

v

NAWAIA TEUANANG

For the Republic: Ms Pauline Beiatau
For the Accused: Mr Stephen Earle

Date of Hearing: 10 November 2006

SENTENCE

Nawaia Teuanang: you have pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause it. That is a crime which has a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life.

You are 29 years old, married with a young child. Your home island is TabNorth. This happened at Eita on last Christmas Day. You had an argument with the victim Teantoa. Mr Earle said that Teantoa was teasing you - indeed more than teasing, taunting you. It happened twice. After the first time you left and came back with a bush knife. Mr Earle said you had the knife to cut coconuts. You challenged Teantoa. Teantoa ran away. You chased him and slashed him with the knife. He suffered very nasty injuries. The medical report lists seven separate cuts some of them long and deep. When the medical assistant saw him, Teantoa was faint and covered in blood. He was in hospital for more than a week. It is fortunate he did not bleed to death.

Mr Earle submitted that the attack was unpremeditated: that you suddenly lost self control because of the taunting. Yet you did have a bush knife and you did chase the victim before attacking him. You should have been able to control yourself.

That this is your first offence and that you have pleaded guilty mean a lesser term of imprisonment than otherwise. Mr Earle said there had been an apology which had been accepted. He even suggested suspending the sentence but that is out of the question. This was far too serious an attack.

You will be imprisoned for three years. The term will run from 10 November when you went into custody.

Dated the 20th day of November 2006

THE HON ROBIN MILLHOUSE QC
Chief Justice