Fatal assault lands man in jail

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for the manslaughter of Zain Kaiyum in Nasinu, Fiji. Daniel O’Brien Lal pleaded guilty to manslaughter by recklessness for the fatal assault that occurred in May 2023. He was initially charged alongside three other men, who have pleaded not guilty and will face trial.

The High Court heard that Lal and others assaulted the victim after a packet of crystals was allegedly stolen. The victim was reportedly taken from his home and assaulted at multiple locations in Makoi and Nasinu. Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu detailed Lal's repeated assaults, including punching, kicking the victim's head with a boot, and humiliating him by removing his clothes.

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Lal repeatedly assaulted the victim, including punching him, kicking his head with a boot and humiliating him by removing his clothes.

The victim was later hospitalized with severe injuries and died on July 2, 2023. A post-mortem examination concluded that he died from severe head injuries and complications arising from the assault. Justice Bulamainaivalu noted the prolonged violence involved, the lack of provocation, and the serious harm inflicted on the victim and his family.

Lal's sentence considered aggravating factors, but his guilty plea, cooperation with police, remorse, personal circumstances, and time spent on remand led to a reduction from the initial starting sentence. He will be eligible for parole after serving six years and has 30 days to appeal the decision.

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the offending involved prolonged violence, no provocation and caused serious harm to the victim and his family.