Rapist’s appeal refused
A27-year-old’s appeal against his rape conviction and sentence has been refused by the Fiji Court of Appeal. Manasa Ratuloaloa was convicted for one count each of rape, sexual assault, and abduction of young persons.
All offences were committed against a 12-year-old girl at Lakena, Nausori, on January 25, 2018.
At the end of the trial and summing up before the High Court in Suva, the assessors had in unanimity opined that Ratuloaloa was guilty of all counts.
The evidence had revealed that Ratuloaloa had lured the victim into his car, took her to an isolated location and assaulted and raped her.
After that, Ratuloaloa drove the car towards the victim in order to run her over, but she managed to save herself and escape by jumping out of the road.
The learned trial judge had agreed with the assessors’ opinion, convicted Ratuloaloa of all counts, and sentenced him on October 4, 2019, to an aggregate imprisonment of 16 years with a non-parole period of 14 years, but after deducting the period of remand the actual serving period is 14 years and three months with a non-parole period of 12 years and three months.
Ratuloaloa had appealed in person against the conviction and sentence stating that the sentence imposed by the High Court was harsh and excessive.
Appeals Judge, Acting Resident Justice Chandana Prematilaka, said: “Given all the factors considered by the trial judge and considering the protection of community particularly the unsuspecting children and juveniles for whom Ratuloaloa may pose a threat if allowed into the community too early and the necessity for deterrence for prospective offenders of this kind, I do not think that the sentence can be said to be harsh and excessive.”