An 84-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexually assaulting a primary school student 17 years ago. The man, who pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape committed in 2008 in Naboro, near Suva, received the sentence despite his advanced age and physical disabilities.
Justice Waleen George stated that the man’s age and health conditions would not be sufficient to warrant leniency. The judge emphasized the importance of justice in this case, highlighting the role of punishment as a means to deter similar actions by others, particularly among the elderly. “You will also require special care once incarcerated,” Justice George noted, but underscored that the court could not ignore the severity of the man’s actions.
The elderly defendant will be eligible for parole after serving five years of his sentence, sending a clear message that sexual offenses, regardless of the perpetrator’s age, will be met with significant consequences. This ruling highlights the enduring commitment to justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals in society.
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