A business executive has been convicted by the Sigatoka Magistrates Court and sentenced to be bound over to keep the peace for the next 12 months in the sum of $500.
He had pleaded guilty to one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm.
According to court documents, on 18th October last year the man and a woman met at a hotel and talked about their personal matters.
They were in a relationship previously.
As a result of that discussion, there was an argument which resulted in the man pushing the woman on the sofa and punching her on the mouth.
In mitigation, the defence lawyer sought a non-conviction on the basis that man’s economic livelihood and good rapport with the community would be affected as a result of the conviction.
The woman had also informed that court that she had reconciled with the man.
In his sentence, Magistrate Jeremaia Savou said in this case there was injury and if the court were to discharge the man without conviction knowing full well that injury was caused, public confidence in the enforcement and effectiveness of legislation would be affected.
