The Supreme Court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to 2 years and 8 months in prison for the death of his young partner on Ambrym.
Mr. Yaltun Rexley pleaded guilty to a charge of intentional assault causing death.
The defendant was 23 years old when he assaulted his 19-year-old partner, following an argument the couple had in the early evening of August 19, 2020.
The court heard that Rexley kicked his late girlfriend’s ribs after she fell on the ground when she was hit by her partner.
She was taken to Nebul Health Centre on Ambrym the following morning, but was later pronounced dead.
The cause of death was internal bleeding due to trauma inflicted to her internal organs by the assault.
The young man expressed remorse for his actions.
His family performed a custom reconciliation on his behalf to the late girlfriend’s family and the apologies were accepted.
Judge Gus Andrée Wiltens refused to suspend the sentence.
He said, “I cannot see any other good reason to suspend the sentence.
“The primary sentencing consideration must be to make Mr. Rexley accountable for his actions and to deter him and others from acting in this way in the future.”
Rexley has 14 days to appeal his sentence.
