Asylum seeker appeals assault sentence, reduced
An appeal by an asylum seeker
sentenced to terms of imprisonment of four months and three months
for two counts of assault causing bodily harm was determined and
reduced yesterday (28 Nov) afternoon by Chief Justice Geoffrey
Eames QC.
This week (Monday 25th
November) Resident Magistrate Peter Law convicted and sentenced the
defendant for assault causing bodily harm on another two asylum
seekers at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) on Nauru.
The appeal on the conviction was
dismissed by Chief Justice Eames yesterday (28 Nov), however the
appeal on the sentencing were upheld but with a new sentence
imposed reducing the first count of four months to 10 weeks
imprisonment and the second count of three months reduced to four
weeks imprisonment. Both sentences will be served concurrently from
Monday 25 November.
The incident related to an assault
upon two other asylum seekers on 4th March 2013 within
the RPC.
The defendant's legal representative
is Pres Nimes Ekwona.
A non-publication order was issued
stating that any publication of the proceedings should not disclose
the names or identities of the asylum seeker defendant or
witnesses.