A 35-year-old man charged with the murder of a 46-year-old fisherman in Lokia Landing in Nausori on January 1 this year was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment by the  High Court in Suva.

Waisea Motonivalu was sentenced by judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe after he pleaded guilty to committing the offence, indicating his remorse.

The accused with two others allegedly brutally assaulted the deceased and stole his 15 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine. The deceased was rushed to the Nausori Health Centre where he later died.

Justice Rajasinghe said the level of culpability and harm was high as the accused with two others had invaded the deceased’s home, pulled him and brutally assaulted him.

The court heard that the accused was a first offender, was married, had pleaded guilty before trial and was a farmer.

Justice Rajasinghe said the accused with others had robbed the deceased’s home after a drinking party which meant that it was a planned act. He was given 30 days to appeal.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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