A man attacked his partner in a public place because he suspected she was committing adultery.
According to the prosecution facts read in court by the presiding judge, the victim (MS) was waiting to catch a minibus in Dili bout 5pm on November 23, 2015 when the defendant (MG) suddenly stopped his motorbike in front of her and asked “Why didn’t you answer my call?”
Before the victim could respond, the defendant slapped her across the face and punched her.
Since the incident took place near a police station and the victim’s friends quickly reported the assault.
Asked by the judge if he had anything to add, the defendant said he accepted the facts as outlined to the court.
The victim, who works as a shop assistant, told the court that the couple had only been dating a short time when the incident occurred.
“We had just begun our relationship, but he hit me because my photos were posted on Facebook [and] that’s why he got angry and thought that I have another man behind his back,” she said.
However, she said they had since reconciled and she was now getting along well with her partner, a student.
Meanwhile the suspect’s lawyer requested a lenient penalty as his client had only committed one other minor offence in the past.
He told the court the accused had admitted that the incident involving his partner was his fault and had promised not to repeat his actions in the future.
After hearing the declarations, the presiding judge handed down a one-year suspended sentence.
