Man 'disappointed' at failure to behead friend

AAP November 30, 2009 2:43PM

A MAN who hacked into his best friend's head with a machete later told police he was disappointed he failed to behead him, a court has been told.

The Queensland Supreme Court was today told that Sialaoa Faolua, 40, of Inala, had gone to 39-year-old Hay Saka's Carole Park home on January 4, 2008, with the intention of cutting off his head.

The court was told the men, who had grown up together in Samoa, had fallen out three weeks earlier when Mr Faolua got drunk and picked a fight with one of Mr Saka's friends.

Mr Saka had broken up the fight and tried to drive Mr Faolua home, but ended up kicking him out of the car when Mr Faolua continued to be aggressive.

Mr Faolua drove to Mr Saka's house later that night to confront him again, and the two men quickly became involved in a physical fight on the front lawn, during which Mr Saka hit Mr Faolua in the head with a plastic cricket bat.

Prosecutor Dennis Kinsella said the pair did not see each other again until January 4, when Mr Faolua drove to Mr Saka's house with the intention of killing him.

The court was told Mr Saka was drinking in the carport with two friends when Mr Faolua attacked him with a one-metre long machete.

Mr Kinsella said Mr Faolua struck Mr Saka at least three times in the head and left shoulder, causing serious injuries that have left him with some continuing nerve damage and pain.

Mr Faolua also sliced the hand of one of Mr Saka's friends, who tried to come to his rescue, the court heard.

The court was told Mr Faolua later told police he had been trying to cut off his friend's head and that he was disappointed he had failed in his mission.

After today pleading guilty to attempted murder, he apologised to Mr Saka and his family.

Mr Faolua also pleaded guilty to one count of wounding.

He was sentenced to 12 years' jail, with a serious violent offence declaration.

Under Queensland law, he is required to serve 80 per cent of his sentence.

Mr Faolua has already spent 695 days in pre-sentence custody.