The High Court has sentenced a 49-year-old security guard to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years and 11 months, for murder and for an act intended to cause grievous harm.
Joni Raciri appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu. He had pleaded guilty on October 12, 2023, to one count of murder and one count of acting with intent to cause serious harm.
Justice Bulamainaivalu explained his decision, stating he began with a four-year sentence and increased it by another four years due to aggravating factors. He noted the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim, alongside the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted. The victim was particularly vulnerable due to intoxication at the time of the attack, which involved being struck with a garden hoe. Furthermore, Raciri had prevented the victim from escaping by climbing a gate while being intoxicated and instilling fear.
Taking into account the totality principle of sentencing, the Judge ordered that both counts run concurrently, resulting in Raciri being sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and 11 months. Raciri now has a 30-day window to appeal the decision to the Fiji Court of Appeal.