The man who attempted to rape an 80-year-old woman in Kolomotu’a was reportedly loved and educated by the victim.
Siaosi Havea was sentenced to two years and six months jail in Hu’atolitoli after pleading guilty to break, enter and attempted rape charges.
Havea went to the home to ask for food. But while in the house he committed the crimes on April 5, 2018, Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper reported.
The judge said Havea was drunk and drugged before he grabbed the victim by her throat and attempted to rape her.
However, he fled the scene after the woman’s son-in-law was awaken by her screams.
The prosecutor asked for a starting point of five years but the judge ruled a starting point of four and six months saying there was a good reason to reduce his sentence, the paper said.
The judge accepted Havea was genuinely remorseful after he admitted he committed the crimes, his early guilty plea and was cooperative with Police. The judge reduced his sentence to three years and six months, Kakalu said.
The judge also suspended the last 12 months to allow the prisoner an opportunity to join alcohol and drug programmes
The court was told Havea had previous criminal records.
