A 57-year-old “law student” has pleaded for leniency in an attempt to finish his studies to become a lawyer.
Tomagoni Sapati appeared in the District Court last Friday, charged with drink driving.
The defendant had told the Court that he was studying law online at the University of the South Pacific. He also revealed he involved with the Catholic Theological College, Moamoa.
Hailing from Falefa, Sapati was charged over an incident that occurred on the road from the Faleolo Airport to Apia.
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The complainant in the matter reported to Police that their vehicle was damaged as a result.
The defendant did not stop after he crashed into the vehicle the complainant was travelling in.
He was later hailed down and stopped by Police at Afega.
During the proceedings on Friday, he asked the Court for an opportunity to speak.
He then expressed “remorse” over the incident, saying that the matter has brought tremendous stress on his family.
Sapati pleaded for leniency and for the Court not to convict him because it would mar “his character” since he was studying law.
Questioned if there was any reconciliation between him and the complainant, he said there was no way of knowing anything about the complainant.
He also said he was unaware that the vehicle was damaged.
The Judge then informed him that for a discharge without conviction, he would have to provide proof to the court that he was indeed studying law.
He was also ordered to reconcile with the complainant.
He is set to reappear on Friday 7 November.
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