Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Pair jailed over fatal WA pub attack

Angie RaphaelNorth Coast Times

TWO men who fatally bashed a defenceless man during a brawl outside a pub in Western Australia’s north have been jailed.

Saimone Lausii Kala, 29, and Oueni Pomana, 47, were found guilty of unlawfully killing 45-year-old Nathan Haynes outside the Newman Hotel in the state’s Pilbara region in August 2016.

Kala punched Mr Haynes then Pomana kicked the victim as he lay unconscious or dazed, the WA Supreme Court heard on Monday.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Justice Bruno Fiannaca said their “senseless violence” had “cut short the life of a good man” and caused ongoing suffering to the victim’s family.

Pomana was sentenced to nine years in prison while Kala was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years behind bars.

Justice Fiannaca said an alcohol-fuelled Pomana was the aggressor and resorted to violence during a dispute over a perceived slight involving another man, while Kala joined in the fight out of loyalty to his friend.

Mr Haynes was being led away by another man when Kala punched him without warning but with considerable force, causing him to fall to the ground in an “unprotected manner”, Justice Fiannaca said.

“You were out of control,” he said.

Pomana’s subsequent kick was described as cowardly and brutal.

“Mr Haynes had not posed a threat to either offender,” Justice Fiannaca said.

The attackers left the scene, which Justice Fiannaca said showed a callous disregard for what might happen to Mr Haynes.

He never regained consciousness and died at hospital.

Referring to the victim impact statements, Justice Fiannaca said Mr Haynes’ loved ones had eloquently described the impact of their loss.

He also acknowledged Pomana’s family was shocked by his actions.

“No doubt alcohol changes you,” he said.

Justice Fiannaca noted Pomana had a prior conviction in 2009 in another jurisdiction for assault, although he did not have an entrenched history of violence.

The court heard Pomana had since stopped drinking and was at low risk of reoffending.

Justice Fiannaca said public campaigns had made clear the consequences of such drunken violence among men unable to control their egos and emotions, and the message must continue to be pressed.

“The court too has a role in trying to prevent such behaviour,” he said.

The pair, who appeared in court via video link from prison, must serve at least two years less than their respective sentences before they can be eligible for parole.

Pomana, who was born in Tonga then later moved to New Zealand, is not an Australian citizen so he is likely to be deported after completing his sentence.

Kala is also originally from New Zealand.