Four men have been sentenced to more than 10 years imprisonment by the High Court of Fiji after being found guilty of a violent home invasion robbery in Pacific Harbour.
Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu sentenced Jikosaya Toga Lesikigau, Wilisoni Lagi, Vateitei Sokoduadua Uluiviti and Pita Anilovona to 10 years, 5 months and 13 days imprisonment, with a non-parole period of nine years.
The court heard the incident occurred on April 23, 2021, when the group attacked Hong Kong national Yuen Wah Lee at her home in Navua.
The victim was alone when she was ambushed from behind, dragged into her bedroom, restrained and suffocated with a pillowcase while the offenders demanded money.
“They used force… and covered her face so tightly that she felt suffocated,” the judge noted.
Items stolen included cash, bank cards, a passport, laptops and a mobile phone, with property valued at around $5,500.
Justice Bulamainaivalu said the offence was a serious home invasion that violated the fundamental safety of a person’s home.
“Home invasion… undermines the imperative value of one’s home being a place of solace and security,” he said.
The victim suffered physical injuries and psychological trauma as a result of the attack.
The court adopted sentencing guidelines that place aggravated robbery in the range of 8 to 16 years imprisonment, adding time for aggravating factors including violence, planning and the vulnerability of the victim.
Mitigating factors included the offenders’ lack of prior convictions and cooperation with police, which led to the recovery of most stolen items.
All four offenders have 30 days to appeal the sentence.
