A young man was sentenced to four months in jail for injuring another by throwing a stone at him while drunk and found relapses in his rehabilitation.

Anthony Tuafale was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, one count of armed with a dangerous weapon and one count of throwing stones. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced earlier this month.

The summary of facts stated that the victim and a friend were on their way to the village pool late at night when they came across Anthony sitting on a nearby grave to the pool. The victim approached Anthony and asked for a lighter. The defendant grabbed the neck of his t-shirt and pushed him onto the ground.

The victim got up and went home but returned when he heard an argument between his friend and Anthony. Anthony saw the victim walking towards him and threw a stone hitting the victim on the head. The victim suffered a deep cut or laceration on his head.

The offences were committed while he was under the influence of alcohol.

The court said Anthony was formally accepted into the Alcohol and Drugs Court on 9 July 2024 after the team conducted a family group conference to vet the surroundings where he will reside while attending the programs and judicial monitoring and arranging a community justice supervisor.

The court found that the relapses by Anthony included two of consumption of alcohol, failure to attend ADC programs, failure to report to the supervisor and failure to attend church services on Sundays.

Anthony’s first breach was reported on 10 July for missing a program session, he relapsed on 23 July when he owned up to having been drinking alcohol, he missed four sessions in the week before 27 August, and he continued to miss sessions in the weeks following and was again reported to have again drank alcohol.

“Anthony was given the opportunity for rehabilitation through the ADC programs but he did not make use nor appreciate the effort of not only the court, but his family and members of the community to help get his life back on track,” said the court.

“His behaviour shows that he is not willing to change and also shows that he is not remorseful for what he did.”

Anthony was a first offender and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. There was confirmation by the pulenuu of a village penalty that has been carried out by Anthony. The mother of the victim also confirmed an apology by Anthony.

He was sentenced to four months in jail for grievous bodily harm, three months for armed with a dangerous weapon and three months for throwing a stone.

The sentences were to be served concurrently.