A 58-year-old retired military officer has had his sentenced reduced to a lesser count of manslaughter.

Wame Waqavanua was charged with one count of murder of a 23-year-old man in Raiwaqa in November, 2015.

While delivering his judgment, the Suva High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo said he sympathizes with both the victim and the accused given how the incident led to the loss of one life.

The court heard that on November 23rd, 2015 – Waqavanua used a tree branch and attacked the victim who had broken into his new car in Raiwaqa, Suva.

As a result the victim sustained serious injuries on his head and died.

Temo said that the victim who was the perpetrator should not have indulged in such criminal activities.

He said as a result of this, he lost his life and Waqavanua who was trying to protect his family and his property was charged of a serious offense.

In mitigation, the defense has submitted that a suspended sentence be given as the accused had not attack the victim with intention of killing him.

The defense also provided the court with three character reference and outlined how the accused had served the country in peacekeeping missions and had no previous convictions.

The matter has been listed for sentencing on Friday.