The 36-year-father found guilty of attempting to kill his two sons in a house fire has been given life imprisonment by the High Court in Suva.

Pranil Alvin Singh was convicted and sentenced to two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson.

On June 5, 2020, at Nasinu, set fire to the house with him and his sons – a 10-year-old and one-year-nine-months old – in it.

The property belonged to Babu Lal.

Singh has his family were renting the property.

While sentencing Singh, the High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar said the aggravating factors were the victims were children and vulnerable, and the offender had a responsibility for their safety and security.

“Their mother left them alone with their father knowing that they will be safe with him but instead he offended or breached the trust of his spouse and children,” Justice Goundar said.

“There was also a degree of planning involved to secure all the speed rules with nails before setting the house on fire.

“If the offender had succeeded with his intention to burn himself and his two children to death, his children would have received a cruel and painful death.”

Singh was handed 14 years to serve before any release may be considered.

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