News

Mother of four escapes custodial sentence

July 19, 2017 5:10 am

A 40-year-old mother convicted of one count of infanticide has been handed a three year suspended sentence by the High Court today.

Vika Laliqavoka has been sentenced for two years imprisonment suspended for three years.

The mother of four has also been ordered to undergo counselling sessions with the Department of Social Welfare.

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The Court heard Laliqavoka gave birth to the child in her bathroom at Cunningham in Suva on July 18th in 2011.

The baby proceeded from the accused’s body and fell on the floor.

Laliqavoka pressed her baby’s nose and tapped his cheeks, but he did not respond.

She wrapped the baby in a cloth, placed him inside a brown bag and placed him outside their home.

High court Judge Riyaz Hamza said infanticide is a serious offence.

The High Court Judge further told her that she has a future ahead of her and to ensure that no one takes advantage of her situation.