A young man celebrating his 19th birthday with friends at Salamanca was stabbed with a 20-centimetre hunting knife after his group refused to give a stranger a cigarette, the Supreme Court has heard.
Tyson Filipo Afamasaga, 22, avoided immediate jail time after pleading guilty to wounding the teenager in the early hours of November 17 last year.
The court heard Afamasaga approached the birthday group and asked for a cigarette but became agitated when no one gave him one.
After being confronted by the victim, he pulled the serrated hunting knife from his clothing and stabbed the young man once in the left side of his abdomen.
The blade caused a laceration that required hospital treatment, stitches and ongoing care, including antibiotics.
Justice Michael Brett said the victim has been left with a permanent raised red scar and ongoing psychological trauma.
The judge described the attack as “brutal and dangerous”, noting it had subjected the victim to a “traumatic and unanticipated experience”.
“The complainant was entitled to safely enjoy his social interaction with his friends,” he said.
“Drunken violence around social venues late at night is prevalent and dangerous.”
Afamasaga fled the scene but was later arrested by police. The court heard he was heavily intoxicated with alcohol and drugs at the time.
He told the court he carried the knife for self-defence because of his involvement in the drug scene, a claim Justice Brett dismissed as “nonsense”.
“I am told that committing this offence was something of a wake-up call for you,” Justice Brett said.
“You claim to be ashamed of and deeply remorseful for your conduct in respect of this crime and its impact on the complainant.”
Afamasaga was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months due to his age, lack of relevant prior convictions and rehabilitation efforts.
He must also complete 175 hours of community service.
