Police in Western Province have arrested and detained a man who allegedly attacked his 15-year-old nephew with a bush knife after inviting him into his house.

The incident happened last week in the remote Shortland islands.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province, Superintendent Wilken Miriki said the 33-year-old man has been charged with Act Intended to Cause Grievous Harm, and is remanded at Gizo Correctional Facility.

“Police will allege that on the day of the incident, the suspect invited his nephew to his house,” Mariki said. 

“The nephew walked into the house with no sense of being in danger, but as he entered the house, he saw his uncle armed with a bush knife,” he added.   

“The suspect got up from the chair and squeezed his nephew’s neck. 

“The nephew fought back and ran out of the house as soon as he escaped his uncle’s grip. 

“The suspect gave chase and struck his nephew’s head with the bush knife.

“The nephew ran to his sister’s house where he was assisted and brought to Gaomae clinic, where he was referred to Nila mini hospital and later to Taro hospital where he is being treated for serious internal injury.”

Mariki did not provide any information on the motives for the attack.

The suspect, who is not named, is expected to appear in court soon.