A 33 year old man charged with murder of a shopkeeper three years ago has been sent to prison for life after he was found guilty of murder of Narend Prasad.

The court heard that on 5th October in 2007, Pauliasi Nacagilevu and four others entered the house of Prasad in Toko Tavua and then threatened, robbed and wounded four women in the house and assaulted Prasad who died due to the injuries he sustained.

High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan while passing the sentence said that the four men after drinking methylated spirit planned to rob Prasad and punched him so hard that his head hit the ground causing fatal injuries.

Justice Madigan also said that the four threatened the women with pinch bars, cane knives and a kitchen knife and stole jewelery and cash and later fled in a rental car hired by one of the visiting relatives.

He sentenced Nacagilevu to life imprisonment while three others Ratu Batiniqio Rasaqio was sentenced to 9 years, Emosi Dagoya was sentenced to 9 years and three months and Sefanaia Nukulavai to 8 years imprisonment after they were all found guilty of manslaughter.

Meanwhile, the fifth accomplice Isikeli Taulele was sentenced to 8 month imprisonment suspended for two years for housebreaking.


Story by: Praneeta Deo