Fijian faces trial over death of Kiwi honeymooner

The man charged with the manslaughter of Blenheim woman Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley) who was killed while on her honeymoon in Fiji will go on trial in March.

Boat labourer Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, 27, was the driver of the boat that allegedly hit Mrs Stockwell as she snorkelled with her husband Hayden on November 30 last year. The couple were staying at the Matamanoa Island resort.

Blenheim police detective sergeant John Hamilton said information he received from an investigator on the case in Fiji stated Tovou would appear for a pre-trial conference on February 16, with the hearing due to start on March 9.

Fiji assistant police spokesman corporal Josaia Weicavu said the boat Tuvou was driving on the day Mrs Stockwell was killed was allegedly on the wrong side of the buoys used to mark a boat lane.

The Marlborough Express Wednesday, 12 November 2008