A 30 year old man who was found guilty of manslaughter will be sentenced by the Suva High Court this afternoon.

Tomasi Savu Stevens was initially charged with the murder of 22 year old Josefa Drugu on 15th December 2007 however assessors had found him not guilty of murder and guilty of manslaughter.

In mitigation Stevens’ lawyer told the court that Stevens is single, unemployed and was supported by his parents.

The lawyer also said that Stevens was put in that situation that he had to defend himself on the day of the incident which claimed that life of Drugu nearly three years ago.

She also told the court that Stevens has been in remand since 19th December 2007 and that the court should consider the length of time spent in remand.

She asked for a suspended sentence.

However, DPP lawyer Ana Tuiketei said that the deceased was unarmed on the day of the incident and a term of imprisonment should apply as a life was lost.

Stevens was alleged to have murdered Drugu in Tacirua after an argument.