Rinavuaka gets 2 year suspended sentence

A father of Baulevu who pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter has escaped a prison sentence.

Vilikesa Rinavuaka has been handed a suspended sentence for two years.

Rinavuaka on the 30th of June, two years ago at Baulevu, Nausori breached his duty to control the vehicle which caused the death of his two-year-old daughter, Barbara Green.

The court heard that Rinavuaka was taking his family to Nausori for various sporting activities when the incident happened.

While handing down the sentence, Suva High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo said it appeared to the court that Rinavuaka has been punished from the day his daughter died. Judge Temo said that Rinavuaka failed in his duty towards his children and the aggravating factor was negligence.

Justice Temo said his health and work has suffered and in the daily struggle of life, he was trying to put food on the table for his wife and children.

Rinavuaka was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.