Rapist Appeals Life Sentence

A75-year-old man who is serving a life sentence in jail has filed an appeal. He is convicted for seven counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault of his own biological daughters.

The man was in a wheelchair when he appeared before Judge Justice Chandana Prematilaka at the Fiji Court of Appeal.

He had raped his daughter from the age of 10 years and impregnated her at the age of 14.

The child who was born out of the rape was also raped by the man when she turned 10 years of age. The man started the sexual campaign in 1982 when the first victim was 1 years old and the man was of 38 years of age.

For the second victim, the man started the sexual campaign in 1997 until 2013.

The last incident occurred when the victim was 23 years of age and the man was 69 years old.

The court heard that the man wished to engage the assistance of the Legal Aid Commission.

Lawyer from the Commission Salote Nasedra told the court that she would assist the man.

Justice Prematilaka ordered Ms Nasedra to file amended grounds of appeal if needed and submissions by August 17.

Respondents have been ordered to file their submissions by September 28.

The matter was adjourned to September 28.