A 42-year-old man accused of assaulting his wife with a bush knife at their family home in Titinge area, Guadalcanal in May, is now facing attempted murder.
This was after prosecution made an application Friday to make amendments to the initial charge of acts intend to cause grievous harm charge based on the evidence on the file.
As a result of the new charge being laid, the matter was adjourned to August 25 for possible plea.
In the meantime, the defendant will talk with his lawyer regarding his plea.
On a previous occasion, the defendant was represented by a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office, but indicated wanting a change of legal representation.
He informed the court that he is now engaging a private lawyer.
According to the allegations, the incident occurred on 3 May 2025.
The victim, a primary school teacher, on 2 May 2025 had left her husband and children at their home to help her colleagues prepare for a culture show at the school, which will happen on the next day.
Later that afternoon, at about 2pm, while she was busy cooking food for her colleagues, her husband arrived at the school and told her that her salary had already been paid.
He questioned her why she was still busy with different activities.
The alleged victim then allegedly told her husband to go and wait for her at a shop at Point Cruz.
She then left the cooking to her colleagues and she went to meet her husband.
They bought rice and chicken together.
The husband then went home with the food and the alleged victim returns to the school.
The alleged victim and her colleagues were busy decorating the stage when the husband arrived at the school.
They stayed at the school until mid-night before they left back in a vehicle engaged by their school head master.
At around 1am on 3 May, upon their arrival at home, the husband began accusing the victim for always obeying the school head master.
He then checked his wife’s bag for money and ATM card but did not find any money and started became increasingly aggressive.
The situation escalated when the husband took a long bush knife and started damaging household items.
He allegedly threatened to kill his wife and struck her on the head with the knife.
The alleged victim tried to protect her, but the knife also cut her hands and left ear.
She became unconscious, but after regaining coconscious managed to run to her neighbour and was rushed to the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
