A 30 year old man who was found guilty of manslaughter was sentenced to two years by the Suva High Court in the last hour.

High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar while passing the sentence said that Tomasi Savu Stevens should be sentenced to five years imprisonment for what he had done however he took into consideration the length of time Stevens had spent in remand and deducted three years from the sentence.

Steven will now serve a term of two years in prison.

Steven’s lawyer had earlier informed the court in mitigation Stevens was put in a situation and that he was provoked and submitted that Stevens actions are to be considered as provocation.

However, Justice Daniel Goundar said that provocation by deceased was not extreme and the accused had used considerable force and a weapon on the deceased.

Stevens was initially charged with the murder of 22 year old Josefa Drugu on 15th December 2007 however the assessors had found him not guilty of murder and guilty of manslaughter.

In court earlier today, in mitigation Steven’s lawyer told the court that Stevens is single, unemployed and was supported by his parents.

The lawyer also said that Stevens was put in that situation that he had to defend himself on the day of the incident which claimed that life of Drugu nearly three years ago.