Young father avoids jail after admitting two domestic violence attacks

Jul 3, 2026 | News | 0

A 20-year-old man who repeatedly assaulted his partner, leaving her unconscious during one attack, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, by the Supreme Court of Vanuatu.

In the case of Public Prosecutor v William Laumae, Chief Justice (CJ) Vincent Lunabek sentenced Laumae after he pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence.

The court heard that the offences occurred in January and February 2026 while Laumae and the complainant, who share a young daughter, were living in a de facto relationship.

According to the facts presented in court, the complainant was assaulted after waking up at Laumae’s home in Bellevue, Efate, following separate nights out. During the first incident, Laumae pulled her hair, threw her against a wall, kicked her, and struck her on the forehead with a Tusker bottle.

Although both families later agreed the couple should live apart, a second assault occurred in February after the complainant again awoke at Laumae’s home. The court heard he repeatedly struck her until she lost consciousness.

Medical evidence confirmed she suffered multiple injuries to her head, scalp, eye, ear and other parts of her body.

CJ Lunabek described the offending as serious, highlighting several aggravating factors, including the breach of trust, repeated violence, the vulnerability of the victim, the severity of her injuries, and the lasting emotional impact of the assaults.

The judge adopted a starting point of two years and eight months’ imprisonment. After reducing the sentence for Laumae’s early guilty plea and personal circumstances, but increasing it because of a previous assault conviction, the final sentence was set at 18 months’ imprisonment.

Despite describing Laumae as “a violent young man” who struggled to control his emotions, the court decided to suspend the prison sentence for two years to give him an opportunity for rehabilitation.

During the suspension period, Laumae must not commit any further offences. If he does, the 18-month prison sentence will be activated.

The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of community work, undergo six months of probation supervision, attend spiritual counselling, and participate in anger management, emotional management, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes.

Laumae has 14 days to appeal the sentence.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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