A 40-YEAR-OLD farmer has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Lautoka after pleading guilty to the murder of a two-year-old in Solovi Heights, Nadi, last year.
Subramani Naidu admitted murdering Vivan Munesh Naidu and attempting to murder 74-year-old Rahamma Naidu.
According to the court, Vivan and his grandmother were in the kitchen having lunch last February when Subramani woke from his sleep, grabbed a cane knife from under his bed and attacked the two victims.
The court heard the accused ran after the child and struck him with the cane knife before turning on the 74-year-old victim. Subramani also admitted he ran after the victim and Vivan and struck them both with the cane knife several times on their heads and hands.
The court heard Ms Naidu tried to protect her young grandson but was unable to do so.
The accused also cut off her hand during the attack. He was finally stopped by another relative who was living next door. The 40-year-old admitted the crime during a caution interview at the Namulomulo Police Post.
Upon his arrest, the court heard he was subjected to a medical examination at St Giles Hospital in Suva.
A consultant psychiatrist told the court Subramani needed lifelong treatment with medication.
Lautoka High Court judge Justice Sitambarampillai Thurairaja agreed with the State that a long non-parole period be imposed on the accused in the interest of his family and the public at large.
Justice Thurairaja also sentenced the farmer to a further 10 years for attempted murder.