A WOMAN and her two relatives accused of attacking the woman’s husband resulting in an eye injury in May, have denied the allegations, Wednesday.
Rachael Roko, 28, Lionel Aenasi 32, and Michael Malefo, 22, have pleaded not guilty to the charges of grievous harm and demanding money with menaces.
After entering their pleas, a bail application was made by Ben Alasia of Public Solicitor’s Office for Malefo.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi granted Malefo and $800 cash bail attached with strict bail conditions.
The court was put on notice by Roko’s lawyer Jenny Namo of an intended bail application on the next court date, August 19.
The trio were jointly charged in relation to the allegation at Gilbert Camp, East Honiara on the morning of 26 May 2015.
Police alleged that between 9am and 10am, of that day, Rachael had an argument with her husband Fred who had just returned home from the previous day when he left for work.
It was alleged that Fred left his home on the morning of 25 May, for his job as a bus driver and did not return home after work as he met up with some of his friends and had beers with them.
The complainant allegedly went back home the next morning and engaged in an argument with his wife.
Prosecution alleged that after the argument, Rachael left their house and returned with five of her relatives in a car.
They were allegedly armed with bush knives and one of them with a kitchen knife.
Fred was allegedly asleep and woken up to his wife calling him to open the door.
Police alleged accused Rachael then went in and grabbed one of their children who was with Fred and left the door wide open.
Her brothers then allegedly entered the house and Aenasi allegedly punched Fred’s right eye with a sharp object and allegedly attacked him.
After the alleged assault, the accused men then allegedly held Fred at knife point and led him to his father’s house to ask for compensation of a shell money and $1,500 cash.
The men then left after Fred’s father told them to return later in the afternoon.
Fred was then assisted to the National Referral Hospital where he received medical treatment but had found that his right eye was totally damaged.
He was then admitted to the surgical ward and later discharged on June 1, when he went to the police and reported the matter.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
