A vendor accused of assaulting college students in a school brawl last year has pleaded guilty to one count of assault in the District Court. 

Sooau Va’a Brown was initially charged with three assault-related charges which he has denied. When his matter was called for hearing on Wednesday, he vacated his not guilty plea and entered a guilty plea to assault after the prosecution dropped two charges. 

Police prosecutor Khamtahn Stanley told the court they will be pursuing one charge of common assault while withdrawing two other charges of being armed with an object and actual bodily harm. 

Lawyer Muriel Lui, acting for Sooau said her client will vacate his plea and accept the assault charge. 

District Court Judge, Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii noted the change in the plea by the defendant and adjourned the matter for sentencing on 30 October 2023. 

Sooau was charged by the Police in November last year for assaulting college students and being armed with a dangerous weapon. At the time he operated a small business selling ava in the bowl behind the old Savalalo market. 

The incident occurred during a school fight between students of Saint Joseph College, Leifiifi College and Maluafou College. The vendor was caught on video assaulting a student with what appeared to be a piece of timber. 

At the time, the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (M.P.P.C.S.) confirmed eight students were taken to the hospital as a result of the fight.