A man who subjected three women missionaries to sexual exploitation after threatening to kill them was sentenced to four years and three months in jail by the Supreme Court this week.

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese also ordered that Lui Poka Saveu of Levi Saleimoa's name be registered in the Sex Offenders Registry.

Saveu pleaded guilty to seven offences related to an incident on 12 April 2024; two counts of attempt to commit sexual violation, one count of burglary, one count of theft, one count of intentional damage, one count of threat to kill, and one count of being armed with a dangerous weapon namely a rebar. 

According to the summary of facts, the defendant stole a vehicle in Sogi on 12 April 2024 and made his way to the Mormon Church compound in Vaitele-tai. 

The three missionaries were visitors to Samoa serving their mission and have left Samoa because of the trauma they have had to endure. Their names have been permanently suppressed by the Court. 

The defendant broke into the house occupied by the victims by using a metal rebar to break the security window. 

Once inside the house he removed his clothes and used a black t-shirt to cover his face and then entered the room the victims were in. 

The court heard Saveu had with him a rebar and threatened to kill the missionaries if they tried to fight back when he attempted to sexually violate them. 

The victims' refusal and protestation made the defendant angry and he left the room to get a knife from the kitchen. 

When he left the room, the three victims immediately shut the bedroom door and flipped over a bed as a barricade against the door. 

One of the victims used a spare phone in her suitcase to call the police who arrived at the home within a few minutes. 

During sentencing, Chief Justice Perese considered eight years imprisonment as a starting point noting the attempt to violate three defenceless young women sexually deserves a higher starting point. 

He gave a 30 per cent discount for the defendant’s early guilty plea which is 32 months. 

It was noted the village mayor confirmed the defendant was fined $1000 which was paid but the court said the payment should not be confused with an ifoga, the restorative justice measure used in Samoa custom. 

“Had it been a part of an ifoga the defendant would have been entitled to a discount,” said Chief Justice Perese. 

“The references from the defendant’s Bishop (of the Mormon Church) and parents, suggest his behaviour is out of character, and they have known him as a loving, faithful and obedient young man. 

“I am prepared to give the defendant a further discount or 12 months for his previous good behaviour.”

The end sentence is 52 months or four years and three months, less time in custody and the defendant’s name is to be registered on the Sex Offenders Registry.

The defendant was represented by Veiuto Faasii while the prosecutor was from the Attorney General's Office, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa.