A Supreme Court judge in Samoa has called on the Liquor Control Board to impose tougher conditions on the sale of alcohol to already intoxicated customers.
Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke made the call during the sentencing of Luma Pesefa to four years and four months imprisonment term in prison for manslaughter.
Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke Photo: RNZ Pacific / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
According to the summary of facts, both the accused and the deceased had been drinking alcohol on premises licensed to sell alcohol at a bar at Safotu, Savai'i in January 2017.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reported Justice Leiataualesa saying that despite the two being drunk, the licensed outlet continued to serve them alcohol.
An argument broke out and "as a result, a scuffle ensued between the two of you, who fell off the deck and onto the ground where rocks and empty beer bottles are scattered. You managed to get on top of the deceased, you grabbed a rock lying on the ground and then hit the deceased's head with the rock".
The judge said the sale of alcohol to the intoxicated was a licensing issue which must be addressed, adding that when patrons were intoxicated they must be refused service.
