Rapist uncle gets 14 years plus jail time

Justice Hamza concurs with assessors’ guilty verdict after reading complainant’s Impact Assessment Report.

AHigh Court judge in Suva had no hesitation in sentencing a man found guilty of multiple counts of sexual offences after reading the complainant’s Impact Assessment Report.

The report indicated that the complainant, who was below the age of 13 at the time of the incident, was “emotionally and psychologically traumatised” by the actions of the accused. It also stated that the complainant found it difficult to maintain concentration.

“She is traumatised by the actions of the accused and feels betrayed by the actions of the uncle, which has made her uncomfortable with any male adult that she comes in contact with,” the report added.

Justice Riyaz Hamza told the accused that “after reviewing the evidence, the court decided to accept the unanimous opinion of the assessors.”

Justice Hamza sentenced the accused to 14 years and eight months imprisonment. The court considered the 16 months the accused was in custody and has regarded it as a period of imprisonment already served by the accused. The accused was charged with and found guilty by the assessors of one count of sexual assault and three counts of rape. The complainant is the niece of the accused. The incidents took place between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.

Lawyers Litiana Ratidara and Ruci Nabainivalu appeared for the accused while Kimberly Semisi appeared for the State.

The accused has 30 days to appeal.

Edited by Naisa Koroi