Meli Bainimarama, the son of Fiji’s former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after a violent incident involving his former girlfriend in Sydney, Australia, which resulted in her sustaining a ruptured eardrum. Bainimarama, aged 38, pleaded guilty to several domestic violence offenses, including choking his former partner, punching her in the ear, and distributing an intimate image of her without consent.
During the sentencing at the Parramatta Local Court, Magistrate Timothy Khoo imposed a non-parole period of 14 months on Bainimarama, who was found guilty of three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of choking without consent, and one count of stalking and intimidation. The court heard that the abusive behavior started as soon as February 2022, shortly after their relationship began. This abuse escalated during a car ride, where Bainimarama physically assaulted his girlfriend multiple times.
It was also revealed that Bainimarama had previously served seven months of a 10-month sentence for similar domestic violence offenses against another partner earlier in 2023. While on bail for these offenses, he attacked his estranged wife in their bedroom, leading the prosecution to argue that he poses a significant risk to the community, given his history of violence in two consecutive relationships.
Although Hahn OEMs Bainimarama has shown signs of making positive changes in his life, the magistrate emphasized the severity of his offenses, particularly the fact that he continued to engage in violent behavior while on bail. He is expected to be eligible for release in January 2026.
This case highlights the urgent need for society to address issues of domestic violence and support victims in finding safety and justice. While there may be hope for rehabilitation, the path is fraught with challenges for both abusers and survivors, underscoring the importance of ongoing support and resources for all involved.
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