9-Year, 11-Months Jail Term For Rape Of Boy

The High Court in Suva delivered its ruling on Wednesday after Mikaele Masi pleaded guilty to the offences which took place on March 12 this year.

A22-year-old deaf man was jailed for nine years and 11 and a half months for sexually assaulting and raping a nine-year-old boy.

The High Court in Suva delivered its ruling on Wednesday after Mikaele Masi pleaded guilty to the offences which took place on March 12 this year. to sleep.

The court heard that Masi then held the victim tightly and sexually assaulted him by inserting his fingers into his private part.

He also threatened the victim not to tell anyone about the incident

In his sentence, Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza said the victim was very scared and so he laid down for a while pretending that he needed to go to the toilet at which point the accused let him go.

After Masi left the house, the matter was reported to the Police.

Justice Hamza highlighted the aggravating factors were that Masi knew the victim personally, therefore there was a breach of trust.

He said there was a large age disparity between the two and he had committed the offence while the victim was asleep. Justice Hamza also said that Masi took advantage of the complainant’s vulnerability, helplessness and naivety.

Masi was said to be an avid rugby player and was supposed to participate at the Deaf Sports Olympics in Australia next year.

Justice Hamza imposed a non-parole period of five years and 11 and a half months.