Peter Shanel battles jail term in Solomons High Court today

The imprisoned leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group and MP for Central Guadalcanal Peter Shanel, will be battling in the Solomon Islands High Court today to have his jail term reduced.

Mr Shanel was sentenced to nine months in prison last month by the Magistrate’s Court for assault and possession of a weapon in a restricted area, an offence committed when he was a minister of the crown last year.

He injured a youth with a knife in defence of his wife who was kicked by the victim during an argument.

Lawyer, Andrew Radclyffe who will be representing Mr Shanel, said the nine months jail sentence was severe and he is appealing on that ground.

Currently, three National members of parliament are serving jail terms varying from six months to 18 months.

Source: RNZI