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Sentence hearing of Ratoto who pleaded guilty of manslaughter charges to be held today

Sentence hearing of Ratoto who pleaded guilty of manslaughter charges to be held today

By Rashika Kumar
25/08/2020
Viliame Ratoto has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. [Image: fijivillage]

The sentence hearing of a man who caused the death of two sisters by driving dangerously while being drunk will be  held today before High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo.

Viliame Ratoto has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, one count of breach of zero alcohol limit and two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous harm.

He pleaded guilty to all the charges yesterday before the trial could commence.

It was heard in court that Ratoto was drinking alcohol with his friends from 7 am to 12 pm at Khalsa Road on 16th September 2018.

It was also heard in court that while driving, he lost control of the vehicle on Kanace Road, Nasinu and hit a tree. The vehicle spun and hit the two sisters and their friend who were walking on the footpath.

26-year-old Archana Chand died on the same day while her 35-year-old sister Amrita Chand died two days later.

The court was also told that Ratoto had driven the vehicle while his driving licence was suspended.

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