Tears of joy after Sharma found not guilty of toddler's murder

Abhinesh Sharma denied causing the child's death. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tears of joy ran down the face of a Fiji-born plumber today as he was acquitted of the murder and manslaughter of his 16-month old nephew.

Abhinesh Sharma, 37, was found not guilty of both charges by a jury in the High Court at Auckland to murdering Sachin Dhani.

Sharma embraced his family outside court today at the end of his ordeal.

"I'm just thanking almighty God that justice has prevailed," he told NZPA.

"I said from the start I was innocent and didn't do anything. My solicitors have done a great job, and I was pretty confident all the way through."

He said he'd had a sleepless night last night, knowing that he was going to find out his fate today.

But he emphasised it had been a distressing time for both families, as they were very close before the incident.

"Sachin was my lucky charm. I really loved that boy. He was like a son to me," Sharma said.

Sharma's family were planning a Hindu prayer celebration tonight.

His wife, who has name suppression, said she still felt very sorry for her sister's loss.

"My sympathy is with her. She is my second eldest sister and I love her very much," she said.

The Sharma family life has been torn apart over the past two years, with their five-year-old twins taken away by Child, Youth and Family to live with their mother-in-law, with access allowed only on Sundays.

"It's been like a bad dream. It will take a long time to get back to normal, and we still have to wait for the release of our children," Sharma's wife said.

"I know it's been hard for my sister, but I'm always there for her, and I hope that one day things could be back to how they used to be," Sharma's wife said.

His uncle, Bobguru Prasad, said Sharma came to New Zealand to make a better life for himself and his family.

"This has been very difficult for the family to deal with. His wife and Mrs Dhani, Sachin's mother, have not been in touch for a very long time and this has torn the family apart.

"Abhinesh has always maintained his innocence right from day one."

Speaking to NZPA outside court, Sharma's lawyer Maria Pecotic said she was thrilled with the result.

"This has been so hard for both families and it's split them apart, but my view is that justice has certainly been done.

Sachin died of head injuries at Auckland's Starship Hospital on June 21, 2007. He was found badly injured when police stopped a car being driven erratically on June 19.

The prosecution claimed the child was shaken violently and slammed against a wall.

Sharma's lawyers, Geoff Wells and Ms Pecotic, told the court Sachin's death was accidental, and Sharma did nothing to cause it.

After five hours of deliberation, the jury returned not guilty verdicts and Sharma walked free.

- NZPA