Ratu Ilaitia Varani who is charged with four others for assaulting a Police Officer has told Suva High Court Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza that only one side of the story is being told in the prosecution’s case against them.
Varani said they were trying to help the man who was being allegedly assaulted by the Police Officer.
Asaeli Matai, Ledua Malakai, Ratu Ilaitia Varani, Filipe Lesi and Losalini Moce are charged with aggravated robbery and assault of a Police Officer at Cunningham.
Justice Hamza then said they have to wait for the information and disclosures to be served on the 18th of May.
They have been remanded in custody.
A statement that was released by Police had said that Police Constable Suliano Vasuitoga who is based at the Samabula Police Station was at his home when he heard a cry for help from his neighbour after youths had allegedly stoned his car before assaulting him.
Vasuitoga gave chase and arrested one of the suspects from a nearby cassava patch.
He then called Valelevu and Samabula Police Stations to inform them of the incident.
While escorting the suspect back he was confronted by a group of men when he suddenly felt a strong blow land on the back of his neck.
He fell to the ground and the attack continued where he was kicked in the ribs while another snatched his police torch and struck his head and lower back.
He was badly beaten up before members of the community came to his assistance.
