CONVICTED murderer Anare Cilicewa will be sentenced on September 18 after the State sought a 20-year starting point for the murder of his partner, Shabeen Ali.
Cilicewa, 33, was convicted on August 22 of murdering Ali at a home in Raiwaqa.
The victim sustained severe injuries during an initial dispute, when she was stabbed with a broken wine bottle on September 8, 2024. Cilicewa also gagged Ali using a condom stuffed with cloth, strangled her with an electrical cord, and bound her hands and feet. Her body, wrapped in a white bedsheet, was later hidden beneath a wooden bed. Police recovered the victim’s body on September 9 following a report made by the owner of the property.
During his sentencing hearing before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu, the State sought a 20-year starting point, with a further two years for aggravating factors including excessive violence, breach of trust and disregard for life.
The defence submitted that Cilicewa was a first offender of previous good character and sought an 18-year starting point, reduced by two years for mitigating factors and time spent in custody.
Cilicewa had spent one year, 11 months and 19 days in remand.
