Sibling row results in stabbing

A Timaru man has admitted stabbing his older brother when an argument between the two escalated into a fight.

Inoke Yanuyanutawa, 24, pleaded guilty to injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court.

Yanuyanutawa thrust a kitchen knife into his brother’s left shoulder and under his ribs after the victim confronted him about speaking disrespectfully to their mother.

Their mother began crying at Yanuyanutawa’s response to her asking what he was doing on his laptop computer, prompting her to ask another son to talk with him, Crown prosecutor Helen Bennett said.

The argument between the brothers escalated into a fight, during which the victim struck Yanuyanutawa with the laptop.

Two people saw Yanuyanutawa grab a knife from the dining table and stab his brother twice. The witnesses wrestled the defendant off the victim before heading to Ashburton Hospital.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated he was playing on the computer and did not hear what his mother asked him,’’ Bennett said.

‘‘He stated that the complainant came into the lounge and started to assault him, and he fought back. He picked up the knife to defend himself and when the complainant tried to rush him, he stabbed him.’’

Defence lawyer Codi Lilley said ‘‘the relationship between the defendant and his brother has resolved somewhat’’ since the incident, but Yanuyanutawa was open to taking part in restorative justice to help resolve issues in a more formal setting.

Judge Maze remanded Yanuyanutawa on bail until sentencing on December 13.