Three people who murdered a retired bank officer in his home in Yalalevu, Ba nearly five years ago have been handed life sentences by the Lautoka High Court.

Joji Rokete, Josua Waka and Jonetani Rokoua charged with murder, robbery with violence and unlawful use of motor vehicle were convicted after a trial last month.

The court heard that in the early hours of 8th September 2009, the three entered the house of the late Vinod Sharma by removing the burglar bars and louvers from a bedroom window.

Sharma was sleeping in the living room when the three murdered him and stole a portable telephone, a ring and a watch.

The three then took off in his vehicle.

Rokete and Waka have to serve 18 years behind bars while Rokoua has to serve 15 years imprisonment before he is eligible for parole.

 
Story by: Praneeta Prakash