Accused JS (husband) was tried at the Dili Municipal Court (DMC) under domestic violence charges relating to an incident where JS attacked victim CC (wife); but in the end the couple decided put their grievances away and make peace with one another.
The presiding judge of the DMC read the accusation made by the Ministry of Public Prosecutions stating that at 4p.m. on 02 November 2010 the suspect claimed he was sitting on the front porch of the family home complaining about his wife while she swore at him and his parents.
Despite initially not reacting, he then stood up, walked into the house and angrily slapped, punched, and pulled at victims hair.
The victim and her sisters reported the domestic violence incident to the police.
The accused refused to make a formal statement after the accusation was read by the presiding judge.
When asked to speak the victim testified that since the incident she has been living peacefully with her husband and that they had reconciled.
“We are doing well now. Since the day of the incident, he has not harmed me,” said victim CC at the DMC.
She added that she and the children rely on him as the sole income earner of the family as a taxi driver.
The presiding judge said CC as the victim was entitled to reparations since domestic violence is a crime and that he ought to be given a sentence.
Nevertheless he was set free by the DMC because the parties agreed to remain together and not allow any future incidents of domestic violence to occur.
