Fijian man found guilty of murdering British wife

A man who murdered his British wife on Fiji was sentenced to life imprisonment today.

Raymond Singh was told he would serve at least 18 years after being found guilty of killing his wife Wendy at their home on the Pacific island last May.

The punishment, thought to be the maximum sentence under Fijian law, had been demanded by relatives of 39-year-old Mrs Singh, who was originally from Surrey.

She lived with her husband in Great Yarmouth and Ipswich before they moved to Fiji in 2006. The court heard Fijian-born Singh attacked her with a knife during an argument.

Mrs Singh's sister Christine Stringer, from the Isle of Wight, said before the sentence was announced: "I just felt numb when I heard the verdict. I was obviously very pleased, but I know that nothing will ever bring her back. All we can do now is hope and pray the maximum sentence is handed down.

"Wendy's death made me realise what a devastating effect murder has - not just on the victim but on the whole family and friends. It's a horrific experience, one we will never be able to forget."

It is understood the prosecution will demand a minimum sentence of 17 years. The maximum possible sentence is life without parole.

Mrs Stringer paid tribute to the Lucie Blackman Trust's Missing Abroad programme, which helped fly Mrs Singh's son George back to Britain where he now lives.