HIGH Court judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere told a man convicted of murder that he took the life of a loved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt when he killed her.
The judge made the comment yesterday as he sentenced Vacolo Qio to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years and four months before he may be considered for a pardon.
Qio was convicted last month for the robbery and murder of a 76-year-old Chand Kaur at Koronivia in Nausori two years ago.
During a three-week trial, Qio chose to remain silent and was subsequently found guilty of a count of murder and theft by the High Court in Suva.
Court records stated how Qio entered the house of the elderly woman who had been living alone, with the intention to steal her belongings.
He was in the act of stealing when he was discovered by the victim who then attempted to alert her neighbours.
To stop her from doing so, Qio punched her in the face and proceeded to cover her face with a piece of cloth, which he also stuffed in her mouth.
This suffocated the woman which led to her death.
Justice Tuiqereqere said Qio showed no remorse for his actions, noting that the manner of Ms Kaur’s murder was cruel and brutal.
