An Ottoville man facing charges of assault and disturbing the peace has been released on his own recognizan
Samoa News reports Mapu Tuni is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
The wife of Tuni’s neighbor, told police she approached Tuni about stealing items from her home, including money, shoes, clothes and a laptop belonging to her husband.
She said that was when Tuni threw a metal object at her while she was holding her 2-year-old son.
The metal object missed the victim’s head and hit the front door to her house.
Tuni then allegedly pushed her towards the house door, causing the victim to hit the back of her head on the side of the door — all while holding her son.
According to the victim, Tuni was cussing at her and tried to punch her but she ran into her house and locked the door.
The prosecution contended Tuni was sober when police approached him; but for the safety of the woman and the baby, he was arrested and detained to await his appearance in District Court.
When interviewed by police, Tuni explained that he assaulted the victim because she was spreading lies in the village and in the church, telling people that he broke into her home and stole personal items.
He admitted that he assaulted the victim by pushing her towards the door while she was holding her son and cussing at her out of anger.
