Bail denied for 50-yr-old man accused of murdering woman

50-year-old Bernard Hicks who allegedly murdered his 33-year-old partner in their apartment in Suva on Sunday night appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Hicks appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne who made his ruling on the argument presented by the prosecution.

Defence lawyer Sovoveti Volau told the court that prosecution had not submitted enough grounds to deny his bail and said that it is her client’s constitutional right to be allowed bail.

Volau also told the court that her client was willing to be put on very strict conditions.

She also produced the following mitigating factors to the court:

• Hicks was willing to relocate to Veisari.
• Father of 9 children.
• He is a fisherman who has to provide for his family’s needs.

The prosecution replied and told the court that the case at hand was a matter of public interest, where the safety of the accused will be at risk and that the case was a domestic violence offence.

The prosecution also told the court that the accused had abandoned his family 5 years ago, and lived with the deceased since and did support the family.

Magistrate Somaratne has transferred this case to the Suva High Court for mention on the 20th of May, 2016.

The accused has been remanded in custody.

50-year-old, Bernard Hicks who allegedly murdered a 33-year-old woman in an apartment in Suva on Sunday night appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

It is alleged that Hicks stabbed the 33-year-old after an argument.

Hicks applied for bail and confirmed that his sister is available to be a surety.

The prosecution objected to bail saying that it is an indictable offence.

The bail ruling will be delivered tomorrow morning.

Hicks has been remanded in custody.

The 50-year-old man who stabbed his defacto partner at their rented apartment along Robertson road in Suva is expected to be charged later today.

Police spokesperson Inspector Josaia Weicavu said they will determine the man’s charges after they have received the post-mortem result.

WEICAVU: “We are waiting for the post-mortem results after receiving the post-mortem results we will press charges on the 50-year-old man.”

“After receiving the post-mortem results we will press charges on the man and he will be appear at the Suva Magistrate Court tomorrow.”

A 50-year-old man is in police custody for the death of a 33-year-old receptionist after an argument last night.

Police Spokesperson Inspector Josaia Weicavu told Newswire that the suspect stabbed his defacto wife at their rented apartment along Robertson road in Suva.

WEICAVU: “The victim was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead before arrival.”

“We are treating the case as murder and investigations continue.”