Alleged wife basher, Vakarisi, granted bail
Nabua resident Jone Vakarisi, who is alleged to have assaulted his wife, has been granted bail by the High Court in Suva.
Vakarisi appeared before Judge Justice Aruna Aluthge yesterday.
He is charged with one count act of intent to cause grievous harm, three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, one count of breach of bail and one count of breach of suspended sentence.
It is alleged that Vakarisi committed the alleged offences between May 29 and June 5 at Nabua, Suva. In the bail ruling, Justice Aluthge said the complainant did not intend to pursue the complaint against the accused, and that she was pressured by her sister to make a Police complaint.
Justice Aluthge also said that the complainant had written a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw the complaint, and stated that she was not under any pressure to withdraw the case. Vakarisi was granted bail on strict bail conditions. He was ordered to produce two suitable sureties and the sureties were to sign a bail bond of $1000 each.
Vakarisi was also ordered not to reoffend while on bail and not to interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses. Justice Aluthge has ordered Vakarisi to reside at his residence and report to the Samabula Police Station every Saturday between 8am and 4pm. In the substantive matter, the Court has fixed trial dates for the case. Vakarisi’s trial will be held from February 8 to February 12 next year. The matter has been adjourned for mention on January 28, 2021.