Man given life sentence for murder

A 26-year-old man who murdered Sanjesh Kumar, a taxi driver in Labasa has been given life imprisonment by High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar.

Viliame Ratubukete killed the man on 28th July last year.

While sentencing the man, Justice Goundar says Ratubukete struck Kumar with an offcut timber on the head and assaulted him.

Justice Goundar says according to the medical evidence Kumar suffered a painful death.

It was heard in court that on the night before the incident, Ratubukete accompanied his friends to Labasa Town and drank alcohol at different locations and at around 4 am the following morning he hired Kumar’s taxi from the Y-Corner junction and directed him to the scene of the crime.

Justice Goundar says Ratubukete told the police that his friends got off the taxi a bit far down from the place where the incident occurred adding when he arrived at his destination he violently attacked Kumar and left the scene in his taxi.

The Judge adds that Ratubukete went on a shopping and driving spree around Labasa until he ditched the vehicle in a drain.

Ratubukete also stole Kumar’s mobile phone and wallet containing some cash and assorted cards.

Justice Goundar has set a minimum term of 25 years to be served before a pardon may be considered.