A man who broke into a house, murdered a 61-year-old grandmother and carried out a robbery was jailed for life by the Lautoka High Court yesterday.

Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said Jovilisi Godrovai, 29, of Vakatora Housing, in Lautoka had used a high level of force on the deceased, Sushila Devi, to incapacitate her before robbing her.

Godrovai admitted one count each of murder and aggravated robbery.

Godrovai entered the home of Devi, where she was alone at Razak Road in Lautoka between the night of May 19 and early morning of May 20 this year.

He admitted entering the home through the sitting room window, then going to Ms Devi’s bedroom where he pressed her mouth and punched her thighs.

As she tried to scream, Godrovai ripped off part of a bedsheet and gagged her before tying her hands and legs.

Dodrovai then stole $120 cash and items worth $184 before coming back to the room and escaped after seeing Mrs Devi was no longer alive.

Justice Rajasinghe sentenced Godrovai to life imprisonment for murder with a non parole period of 20 years and aggravated robbery to 12 years seven months with a non parole period of 11 years.

Justice Rajasinghe ordered the sentences to be served concurrently.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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