Kiriata Nangintabuariki

A man convicted of manslaughter has been handed partial sentence by the Suva High court today.

Kiriata Nangintabuariki and Peter Pickering were charged for one count each of murder in 2017, however, the second accused was acquitted.

Nangintabuariki was found guilty of a lesser charge of manslaughter.

The court heard that Nangintabuariki killed a 30-year-old man in Vuninokonoko, Navua in September 2017.

The incident happened during a drinking party.

High court Judge Justice Chamath Morais said Nangintabuariki had the opportunity to avoid the incident.

The judge noted that the deceased forced the accused to drink and later challenged him and came after him.

Justice Morais also said that the accused was willing to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter however this was not considered by the state.

The High court Judge said Nangintabuariki had spent four months in remand before being granted bail.

He has been sentenced to thirty-two months, out of which he will have to serve four months in prison and twenty-eight months has been suspended for five years.