Pitasoni Ulavalu: Fredrick Tuifua sentenced to 20 years jail for murder and assault charges

Self-described “coward” Frederick Tuifua has learned his fate for the murder of Comanchero boss Pitasoni Ulavalu and two counts of assault.

Frederick Tuifua, 27, has been sentenced to 20 years’ jail with a non-parole period of 10 years for the murder of Comanchero boss Pitasoni Ulavalu and two assault charges.

Tuifua fatally stabbed Mr Ulavalu in the neck during a melee at popular Civic nightclub Kokomos in the early morning of July 18.

He subsequently stabbed the thigh of Zachary Robb, who was restrained by other brawlers, during the same fight.

Tuifua pleaded guilty to murder and grievous bodily harm on April 23.

During Friday’s sentencing Tuifua pleaded guilty to a new charge of actual bodily harm after being involved in an altercation with another Alexander Maconochie Centre inmate.

Supplied Editorial Ulavalu knife

The courtroom was packed with family members of both the accused and the victim, including the infant daughters of Mr Ulavalu and Tuifua.

While giving evidence Tuifua described himself as a “coward” and expressed remorse for what he did.

When asked by prosecutor Anthony Williamson why he would Stab an unarmed man’s neck from behind and why he would later stab the thigh of a man who was restrained Tuifua said “I am a coward”.

“ I had a life and I’ve thrown it all away,” he told the court.

“I look at my family and the pain I have caused them and it must be a thousand times worse for the family of the victim,” he said.

Tuifua told the court he was in the habit of carrying a knife after being a victim of two previous altercations.

Justice Michael Elkaim said there was no reason for the accused to have a knife on him, quoting another judge who had said “a knife is not a fashion accessory”.

CCTV footage shows Frederick Tuifua hold a knife in his pocket while entering Kokomos Nighclub in Civic. Picture: Supplied.

The prosecution presented CCTV, in which Tuifua was seen entering Kokomos while holding a knife in his pocket and giving staff a shushing gesture.

The footage showed the accused standing back from the fight and only moving in when there was an opportunity to stab Ulavalu, who was trying to stop the fight.

Mr Ulavalu was stabbed by Tuifua in the neck from behind and was seen on camera stumbling out of Kokomos with his shirt bloodied before collapsing.

Justice Elkaim said CCTV footage proved there was “little doubt” Tuifua was the aggressor.

“The fact Mr Ulavalu was a member of an outlaw gang is not relevant,” Justice Elkaim said.

“The public was exposed to the horror of a man dying in the gutter of a public street.”

Despite showing remorse Justice Elkaim said no motive had emerged to explain why Tuifua, a man with no relevant criminal record or ties to outlaw gangs, committed the incident.

Supplied Editorial Fwd: ULAVALU memorial

Mr Ulavalu’s partner Monique Eramo gave a teary victim statement describing the anguish of learning of the murder while 14 weeks pregnant.

“Pitasoni never had the chance to find out the gender of his baby,” Ms Eramo said.

“On her first Fathers Day all my child had was a portrait of her dad and that’s all she’ll get.”

Ms Eramo said her partner provided for his family and had a “heart of gold” and that she would need to stay strong as a single parent.

Pitasoni Ulavalu was stabbed and killed in an altercation at Kokomo's nightclub in Canberra. Picture: 10 News First

The court heard a victim statement from Sophie Randall who gave Mr Ulavalu first aid outside Kokomos before he died.

Ms Randall said despite working in health she was “mentally unprepared” for the incident and has since been diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD which affected her studies and career path.

A statement from the accused’s wife Kathrine Tuifua, who gave birth to her daughter while her husband was in custody, said the accused will live with the shame and humiliation of his actions for the rest of his life and one day his daughter will have to learn about what he did.

Frederick Tuifua will be eligible for parole in August 2031.