The High Court has sentenced a 49-year-old security guard to life in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years and 11 months, after he was found guilty of murder and causing grievous harm. The defendant, Joni Raciri, appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu and had pleaded guilty to the charges on October 12, 2023.
Justice Bulamainaivalu noted that he set a starting sentence of four years, which he increased by an additional four years due to aggravating factors. These included the serious nature of the injuries inflicted, as well as the emotional and psychological trauma caused to the victim, who was vulnerable and intoxicated at the time of the attack. The accused also prevented the victim from escaping by climbing over a gate while in an intoxicated state.
Taking into account the overall circumstances of the case, Justice Bulamainaivalu ordered that the sentences for both counts would run concurrently, leading to the life imprisonment sentence. Raciri has 30 days to lodge an appeal with the Fiji Court of Appeal.