A 39-year-old taxi driver who caused the death of a man in 2016 in Nausori has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Subramani Goundar was found guilty of one count of manslaughter in the Suva High Court last Friday.

In sentencing Goundar today, High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo said the aggravating factors included reckless driving when he refused to pull over after police officers signalled him to do so.

Judge Temo said that Goundar was drunk while driving a vehicle that caused the death of 35 year old Sairusi Vunakece who was walking to his home, along Vuci Road in Nausori.

Judge Temo told the accused as a driver his attitude was below the standard of being a reasonable taxi driver and that he was a menace to the public.

The judge also highlighted that Goundar had left Vunakece’s wife and six children without a husband and father.

The accused has been given a non-parole sentence of seven years.

He has also had his driver’s licence disqualified for two years.