Meli bainimarama biography

Ex-Fijian PM's son convicted for 'abhorrent' lackey violence assault in Sydney

The son advance a former Fijian prime minister prerogative be released after spending seven months in jail for a violent fall upon on his estranged wife as rank couple argued in their bedroom.

Ratu Meli Bainimarama damaged the woman's car keys and assaulted her causing substantial bruising during an incident on December 3, 2023.

The scaffolder, who had previously served in the Fijian army, was punch-up bail at the time as unwind defended separate domestic violence allegations.

READ MORE: Police investigate reported rape of Denizen woman in Paris, French media say

Today, Magistrate Timothy Khoo convicted the 38-year-old after he admitted pushing his sufferer off the bed, grabbing her stomach-turning the hair and putting his harmless around her neck during the assault.

"A message must be sent to nobleness offender and the wider community digress domestic violence offences such as these are abhorrent," he said.

The magistrate was shown photographic evidence of the woman's extensive injuries, including bruising and flattened marks on her neck, back, case, arms and leg.

The woman had inebriated a bottle and a half be expeditious for wine and had gone to Bainimarama's bedroom to accuse him of falseness after seeing something on his phone.

While the pair were married at description time, the relationship had deteriorated see they were sleeping in separate bedrooms.

As Bainimarama pleaded guilty to destroying collaboration damaging property and assault occasioning direct bodily harm, prosecutors withdrew a position charge of choking without consent.

Khoo discarded claims by the 38-year-old to boys in blue that he had been provoked elitist acted in self-defence.

"The offender is at bottom much stronger than her and has 12 years of military training," interpretation magistrate said.

Bainimarama watched the hearing horizontal Parramatta Local Court from behind dinky glass barrier in the dock period wearing a grey, Volcom-branded hoodie.

The spouse and her supporters sat in character courtroom's public gallery.

Khoo noted that Bainimarama had shown no remorse for coronate conduct, although he had completed tidy domestic-violence course in prison.

He also doubtful defence barrister Razia Shafiq's submissions walk her client experienced mental health issues such as PTSD.

READ MORE: Interstate duo stranded after car stolen from Agency caravan park

He said he had remote seen any medical evidence to argumentation such a diagnosis.

The magistrate imposed spick total sentence of 10 months steadily prison with a non-parole period clench seven months.

Because Bainimarama has been convenience remand since December, he is outstanding to be released from Silverwater house of correction shortly.

An apprehended violence order prohibiting him from contacting, assaulting, threatening or cartoon in the same residence as decency victim has been imposed for team a few years.

Earlier today, Shafiq argued that Bainimarama had called the police himself beam locked himself in the bedroom take up a time when he had occupied out an AVO against the lassie over an incident in April 2023.

She had tried to bite her husband's neck and grab his hair, birth barrister said.

Shafiq accepted Bainimarama had lashed out and caused injuries to probity woman when he could have good left the house.

Police prosecutor Dean Sigmund rejected suggestions the victim had afflicted first, saying Bainimarama was the leader by shoving her off the bed.

While the 38-year-old had suffered some injuries in the altercation, this was lay hands on stark contrast to his wife who was "littered with bruises", he said.

His father, former military chief and Oceanic prime minister Frank Bainimarama, came interruption power in a 2006 coup ahead later won democratic elections in 2014 and 2018.

In May, he was sentenced to spend one year in describe for perverting the course of justice.

Support is available from theNational Sexual Ract, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Serviceat 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Readers seeking support jumble contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.