A man who slapped an acquaintance for tying his pigs to a neighbouring tree has received a six-month suspended sentence.

Takapi Kora appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault.

According to the summary of facts, read out in Court, the incident occurred on February 25, 2023 in Matavera.

The defendant approached the victim and asked him about why he had tied up his pigs to his lemon tree.

The defendant then got angry and slapped the victim. There were no lasting injuries, and this was the defendant’s first offence.

JP Newnham acknowledged it was a “very minor” assault, and convicted Kora and issued him with a six-month suspended sentence.