A FISHERMAN from Labasa has been jailed for 11 years and 11 months after being found guilty of repeatedly kicking his wife in the head, causing injuries that later led to her death.
Sairusi Maqosa, 48, was sentenced by Justice Lee Burney in the High Court in Labasa after convicting him of manslaughter over the death of his wife.
The court heard that at around 9am on April 24, 2023, Maqosa went to his brother’s house in Labasa where his wife was sitting on the verandah. For reasons that were never revealed in court, he repeatedly kicked her in the head during the attack.
Justice Burney said Maqosa made a deliberate decision to inflict serious violence on his wife.
The court heard Maqosa did not immediately take his wife to hospital.
She was eventually admitted to the Emergency Department at Labasa Hospital at 11.50pm that night.
She suffered a severe brain injury with non-functioning airways, was intubated and underwent emergency surgery to remove a large hematoma and remained in a vegetative state.
Ultimately she died on May 23 of the same year from lung and blood infections resulting from the injuries inflicted on the day of the assault.
During sentencing, Maqosa’s lawyer highlighted that no weapon was used and argued that his client could potentially be rehabilitated.
However, Justice Burney noted that Maqosa continued to maintain his innocence, which limited the arguments that could be advanced in mitigation.
Maqosa has two previous convictions, including a suspended prison sentence in 2015 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his wife.
Justice Burney also said Maqosa had shown little insight into his actions.
Maqosa has two children who are in secondary school and was the sole supporter of his elderly mother who lived with him.
“You not only deprived your wife of her future, you also deprived your children of her motherly love and care.”
