Shame On You, Judge Tells Rapist

Accused was sentenced to 14 years and five months imprisonment with a nonparole period of 12 years and five months.

A42-year-old man was told in the Suva High Court last Thursday that he brought discredit to all the (uncles, dad’s older brothers) and adult males in society.

The man was found guilty and convicted by Judge Justice Vinsent Perera for one count of rape.

Justice Perera told him that he brought disrepute through his decision to renounce the basic moral values someone of his standing was expected to possess.

The court heard that between August 12, 2017 and August 27, 2017 the accused raped the daughter of his younger brother who was seven years old at the time.

The court heard that the accused sexually violated the girl inside her own house and as a result she sustained injuries in her private part.

“Being the victim’s father’s elder brother it was expected of you to be a protector of the victim,” Justice Perera said.

“You on the other hand became her predator and exploited her when her parents were away.”

It was submitted in the victim impact statement that the accused’s conduct had led not only the victim but also her parents to distrust male family members.

Justice Perera highlighted that the aggravating factors of the case was that there was a serious breach of trust and the age gap between the accused and the victim was 35 years.

Further, the court noted that the victim sustained physical injuries and that he exploited her vulnerability.

The only mitigating factor that was taken into account was the fact that the accused was a first offender.

The accused was sentenced to 14 years and five months imprisonment with a nonparole period of 12 years and five months. A permanent Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) was also issued against him and he was ordered not to contact the victim in any form either directly or by any other means, unless otherwise directed by the court.