A woman involved in an abduction case where a woman's finger was severed because of a drug debt has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Pamela Kalepo appeared in the High Court in Wellington this afternoon after being convicted in October last year of wounding and kidnapping.
The incident happened in March 2019.
Kalepo's husband Willie Brandon Lance Malua-Bentley was sentenced to six years and nine months behind bars in September last year after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and disfiguring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
In deciding the sentence Justice Clark acknowledged Malua-Bentley was the driving force behind the ordeal and that Kalepo felt forced to partake in order to save her marriage.
"By all accounts although [Malua-Bentley] is some years younger than you he was the dominant party within the marriage and you submitted to him... In many Samoan marriages it is for the woman to prove her love for the husband and that these behavioural protocols are very strong," the judge said.
"You tolerated [his] affairs for example and it was he who introduced you to methamphetamine... It seems apparent that you were suborned by Mr Malua-Bentley."
Kalepo was under the influence of methamphetamine on the night the victim's finger was severed.
She was not involved in the abduction, but met Malua-Bentley and others at Wellington's south coast later than evening.
The victim was held under the water by Malua-Bentley, Kalepo punched her in the face and then tried to cut off her middle finger with a knife but was unsuccessful.
Malua-Bentley then took the knife and severed the index finger.
The judge referred the victim's evidence at trial during which she said Kalepo was "pretty much forced" to help him.
"You made out you were trying to cut her finger off to show him you were trying... but she recounted no pain... you were trying to win your husband back.
"While these insights explain your offending you have not suggested they excuse it."
The victim was held for several days before she escaped.
She said Kalepo had written letters to the victim and believed she was truly remorseful.
She also referred to the victims testimony that Kalepo had cared for her during the ordeal by finding her clean clothes, helping her shower, getting food and drink and wrapping her hand where the finger had been severed.
The Crown asked for a starting point of eight-and-a-half years, whereas Kalepo's lawyer said that was way too high.
Justice Clark chose a starting point of five-and-half years, discounted 10 percent for taking responsibility, 10 percent because the act was out of character and 15 percent because of risk of reoffending was low and chances of rehabilitation high.
She would also serve a three month sentence for assault concurrently.
