SCHOOL brawls involve a group of students and not just one student.
Suva Magistrate Janaka Bandara said this when a Marist Brothers' High School student appeared before him yesterday.
The fifth former is charged for allegedly punching two Suva Grammar School students.
Legal Aid Lawyer Seremaia Waqainabete confirmed receiving full disclosures from prosecution.
When asked if his client was ready to take his plea, Mr Waqainabete said no and that they had yet to receive the charges. Mr Waqainabete asked the court to defer the plea to next week.
He also said that it was a reconcilable offence and that his client had reconciled with the complainants.
Mr Waqainabete said the school involved were old rivals and while unlawful, such incidents had happened in the past.
He alleged that the incident was the result of the complainants' swearing at his client on Monday afternoon. Mr Waqainabete said unfortunately his client could not put up with it and threw a punch.
He said they hoped to get a confirmation from the students regarding the reconciliation. Bail was sought with Mr Waqainabete saying his client's parents were in court and both were willing to be sureties.
The student was released on a bail bond of $200 and told not to re-offend.
Mr Bandara asked Marist Brothers' High School principal John Atalifo if the matter was under control because such incidents took time to develop. Mr Atalifo said the situation was under control.
Mr Bandara ordered prosecution to summon the two Suva Grammar students to court when the case is next called on October 17.