Judge: We Will Not Condone Sexual Acts On Children

Uncle will spend 13 years in jail for raping niece, 6.

Perpetrators of sexual assault on children must be severely punished and incarcerated to ensure that the younger generation is safe and secure. These were the sentiments of High Court judge, Justice Aruna Aluthge, while sentencing a Rakiraki man to 13 years in jail for raping his then six-year-old niece. The incident took place on June 2, 2014 at a village in Rakiraki. The complainant was under the age of 13 at the time.

Justice Aluthge said: “The courts and society cannot condone any form of sexual assault on children.

“The sentence must send a clear warning to the society and offenders as well as potential offenders must be deterred.” Justice Aluthge said the offender used force on the young child who trusted him as her uncle.

According to the complainant’s impact statement and medical report she suffered both physically and psychologically. Judge Aluthge also said the accused had exploited the child’s vulnerability.

The court learned that on the day of the incident the accused had visited the complainant’s home and her grandmother told her to go to the river with the accused to have a bath.

The complainant was accompanied by her siblings and the accused to the river. While returning home from the river, the complainant was accompanied by her younger brother and the accused.

The accused then told the complainant’s younger brother to run ahead. He then made the girl lie down, covered her mouth and performed a sexual act on her.

The complainant testified that she felt pain and cried because she was scared. The girl later told the mother about the incident. The accused was ordered to serve 10 years of his sentence before being eligible for parole. The judge also ordered that his sentence start from the date of his arrest.