A 37-year-old man has been handed a six-year imprisonment term for causing the death of his drinking partner in 2019.

Suliana Kafoa was given a non-parole period of four years.

Considering the nine months spent in remand, the remaining period for Kafoa to serve is five years and three months imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years and three months.

Kafoa on December 19, 2019, in Rotuma caused the death of the deceased in a fight following a drinking party.

Kafoa had kava with the deceased at the deceased’s house. After that, the two went to Kafoa’s house to consume rum where a fight broke out between the two.

The deceased had left the premises however, Kafoa ran down to the deceased and assaulted him multiple times causing serious injuries.

Kafoa was charged and tried for murder however, following the trial, he was found guilty and convicted for manslaughter on the basis of provocation.

While sentencing Kafoa, the High Court Judge Justice Gihan Kulatunga said Kafoa had the benefit of provocation.

He said Kafoa was insulted in his own house which resulted in the offence.

The court heard that Kafoa had sought forgiveness from the family of the deceased and had demonstrated remorse.

Kafoa has 30 days to appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.

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