The Labasa High Court has ordered a one-year community-based corrections for a 27-year-old woman found guilty of infanticide.
The sentencing, delivered at the Labasa High Court, follows her acquittal on a murder charge for the death of her newborn son on March 14, 2023.
The court heard the woman gave birth unexpectedly in a small office.
In a disturbed mental state, she inflicted 61 wounds on her newborn using scissors, leading to his death from severe blood loss.
Colleagues found her in distress, and the infant, discovered crying in a sack, was rushed to Labasa Hospital but could not be saved.
The court found that her actions were influenced by a disturbed mental state, a key factor in the infanticide conviction.
“Having regard to all the circumstances of this case, I have decided that a noncustodial sentence will best meet the overriding objective of rehabilitation,” said Justice Lee Burney in his July 18 ruling.
“I hope that you have been able to understand why I have decided to deal with you by imposing a community-based corrections order.”
“The Order requires you to comply with all the conditions I have imposed for a period of 1 year, and during that time you must comply with every reasonable direction of the supervising officer.”
“If you are not able to comply with these conditions you may apply to court and the court may deal with you in a different way.”
