20-year sentence sought for grandfather in rape case

The state is seeking a sentence of 20 years for a grandfather found guilty of raping his granddaughter.

The accused, 67, was charged for six counts of rape, one count of indecently annoying any person and one count of sexual assault. He had pleaded guilty to one of the six counts of rape. The man was not found guilty to one of the rape counts.

The trial proper was conducted for a period of nine days before the High Court judge Justice Riyaz Hamza and in the presence of three assessors, all of whom found the accused guilty.

The alleged incidents occurred between January 1, 2012, and August 31, 2015 in Tailevu.

The complainant, who is the accused’s paternal granddaughter was 11-years-old at the time of the alleged incidents. The state counsel, Susan Sarukai in her sentencing

The trial proper was conducted for a period of nine days before the High Court judge Justice Riyaz Hamza and in the presence of three assessors, all of whom found the accused guilty.

submission, told the court that the complainant had testified that the crimes inflicted upon her by her grandfather continued to affect her.

Ms Sarukai said the incident had affected the way the complainant interacted socially and her ability to focus in school.

She also told the court that the complainant was psychologically and emotionally affected by the alleged crimes of her grandfather. Ms Sarukai also submitted to the court that the complainant was seven-yearsold when her grandfather allegedly began abusing her in 2012. She said children below the age of 14 years were the most vulnerable victims.

In his submission, defence counsel Lisiate Qetaki sought a lenient sentence.

As the mitigating factor, Mr Qetaki said the man was 67 years of age and worked as a cane cutter earning $200 fortnight.

Mr Qetaki said the man had been remanded for at least five months in relation to his case and had pleaded guilty to one count of rape before the trial.

The accused will be sentenced tomorrow.