Man gets 20 months for assaulting 15 yr old

high-court

A man who told the court he couldn’t control his anger and hit a 15 year old boy with a pair of hedge clippers will be learning to control his anger over the next 20 months at Tafuna Correctional Facility.

That is how long Ropeti Muao was sentenced to prison after he was convicted of an assault D felony.

The court also ordered him to pay $5000 restitution to the victim plus $1,022.58 for the victim’s medical bill.

The victim was hospitalized with injuries to his head.

Meanwhile, Nu’uuli resident Vaitele Tago is placed on 15 months probation for disturbing the peace, last September.

Public Defender Douglas Fiaui had asked the court to modify the original 20 month probation period given his client had been in custody for 5 months.

Proseutor Christy Dunn voiced concern that the defendant had resisted arrest and had been involved in an altercation with police.

Justice Elvis Patea then sentenced Tago to 20 months probation less time already spent in custody.

In other court news, 24-year old Methodist Kuka Mika pleaded guilty to a class D felony in a plea bargain agreement.

He was charged with possession of a glass pipe and a quantity of methamphetamine.

Tago has been returned to the TCF to await sentencing next month.