Rapist, 22, appeals conviction, sentence
A22-year-old man, who was jailed for 23 years for raping a student at Holland Street in 2016, has filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Isoa Rainima appeared before Fiji Court of Appeal Judge Justice Chandana Prematilaka yesterday.
Rainima was convicted and sentenced by the High Court in October, 2018, for seven counts of rape, one count each of assault with intent to rape, sexual assault, criminal intimidation, and robbery.
His non-parole years.
The incidents occurred on December 23, 2016 at Holland Street in Suva.
In court yesterday, State respondent from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Assistant DPP Andrew Jack told the court that the appeal was 65 days out of time.
Justice Prematilaka noted that there were many additional grounds of appeal against conviction and sentence filed by the period is appellant after his initial appeal was filed in January, 2019. Justice Prematilaka ordered Rainima to file his written submissions by August 3. Respondents were ordered to file their submissions by September 14.
The matter was adjourned to September 14.