A 25 year-old man accused of cutting a 49- year-old man’s head with a knife over an alcohol dispute, will be summon to appear in court on May 8.
Steven Sikua is facing one count of Unlawful Wounding.
His mater was mentioned in court yesterday, where he was supposed to enter his plea.
However, Sikua failed to turn up in court.
His lawyer told the court she called Sikua but his phone was not connected.
On the previous court date, Sikua also failed to appear in court because of the flooding at Mbarande River, caused by the heavy rain last week.
At that time, his matter was adjourned to yesterday for plea, but since he failed to turn up in court, Principal Magistrate Elma Veenah Rizzu Hilly adjourned the matter to May 8.
She then directed the prosecution to serve summon on Sikua to appear in court on the next date.
Mrs Hilly also directed Sikua’s lawyer to ensure she contacts him and informed him of the next date.
The alleged incident occurred on 22 June 2024 at Komukama village at 3pm.
The complainant was drinking beer with others under a raised floor house when Sikua arrived.
He accused the complainant of lying for not buying him beers the night before.
Sikua allegedly punched and pushed the victim, who was sitting on a raised stool, before pulling out a knife from his homemade basket and struck the complainant’s head with it.
The knife, described as having a blunt and rusty blade, allegedly caused injury to the complainant.
Sikua tried to cut the complainant for the second time, but then he blocked him.
Witnesses intervened, separated Sikua and the complainant, and attempted to stop the bleeding.
The complainant was later taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital for medical attention.
In an attempt to resolve the matter, Sikua’s family gave $1,000 in cash on the same day for “blood washing” in accordance with Guadalcanal custom.
The following day, Sikua’s family provided additional $500 and one ten string red money (Tafuliae) as compensation to establish peace between the parties.
Sikua was formally arrested and charged at the Tetere Police Station in Guadalcanal on 25 June 2024.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
