A businessman has been convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter over a span of six years, as determined by the Suva High Court under Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull. The man faced a total of eight charges of rape, having previously been charged with nine counts; however, one charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence as agreed upon by both the prosecution and the defense.
The complainant relocated to Fiji from the United Kingdom with her mother and younger brother in 2008, moving in with the accused in 2010. As the trial progressed, the businessman opted to change his plea to guilty on the charges against him, and he accepted the summary of facts presented in court.
Subsequently, Justice Bull has revoked the man’s bail, placing him in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing, which is slated to begin tomorrow. The Director of Public Prosecutions was represented by lawyers Shaheen Bibi and Unaisi Ratukalou, while lawyer Gavin O’Driscoll represented the accused.
This case highlights the resilience and bravery of victims in coming forward to seek justice. As the sentencing phase approaches, it is a moment for society to reflect on the importance of supporting survivors and ensuring that justice is served to prevent such heinous crimes from recurring.
In summary, a businessman has been found guilty of repeatedly assaulting his stepdaughter, and he faces sentencing soon as the court takes necessary measures to address this serious crime.
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