A 46 year old man from Vatukoula has been sentenced to 7 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to killing his 43 year old wife.
While sentencing Isoa Saqanaivalu today, Lautoka High Court Judge, Justice Paul Madigan said the facts admitted are tragic.
The court heard that on the 27th of December, 2008, Saqanaivalu was resting at home with his wife when their ten month old baby fell whilst playing.
Saqanaivalu then got angry, thinking his wife should be in control and kicked her on the left side of her head.
The wife was unconscious after the incident and was taken to the Tavua Hospital.
She failed to recover and died in February last year.
In mitigation, Saqanaivalu said he has four children all of whom depend on him for their upbringing.
He said he was remorseful and asked for forgiveness.
Saqanaivalu said that he just wanted to teach his wife a lesson and he did not want her to die.
However Justice Madigan said this is an obvious case of domestic violence with absolutely no provocation whatsoever.
He said the man deprived his four children of their mother and of a maternal upbringing.
Justice Madigan also said that cases of domestic violence are on the rise in Fiji, to the extent that a legislation has recently been enacted in an attempt to address the problem.
To reflect the violent and unprovoked act of kicking his wife in the head, Justice Madigan started the sentence at 10 years for manslaughter.
For mitigation including the eve of trial plea of guilty, his time in custody, and his claimed remorse, the Judge deducted 3 years from the term meaning that he will go to prison for a term of 7 years.
Saqanaivalu will serve a minimum term of 5 years 6 months before being eligible for parole.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
