31-year-old Livai Lino who murdered 42-year-old Ashwin Lal in 2013 has been given a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment by High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo.
Lino will have to serve 17 years in prison before a presidential pardon may be considered.
On 21st June 2013 in Nadi, Lino went to the deceased who was standing outside a shop in Namotomoto, Nadi, asked for money and then suddenly stabbed him.
Justice Temo said the deceased had not provoked Lino.
He said although Lino is a former patient of Saint Giles hospital, he was not mentally impaired at the material time of the offence.
Justice Temo also said that because of Lino, a wife has lost a husband and two sons have lost a father.
He also said that Lino must not complain and the sentence is designed to punish him and warn others.
