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Brian Lima escapes jail after assaulting wife
ESPN Staff
June 23, 2014
 Brian Lima of Samoa looks on during a Samoa training session at Jean-Pierre Rives Stadium in Courbevoie, France on September 19, 2007.
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Former Samoa international Brian Lima has escaped a jail term after being found guilty of five charges assaulting his former wife and her partner.

Lima, convicted of charges which also included causing grievous bodily harm, being armed with a dangerous weapon and issuing threats, was put under two-year supervision and ordered to undergo counselling. He was told were he to re-offend during that period he would be sent to jail for three-and-a-half years.

The defence had asked for him to be discharged without any punishment but the judge made clear he regarded the offence as serious and pre-meditated.

Surprisngly, his ex-wife asked the court for leniency and there were also character references from almost a dozen others including the country's prime minister.

Lima had been acting as the defence coach for the national team but stood down after he was arrested in January.

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