A 54-year-old watchman in Suva has been sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison for digitally raping a four-year-old girl. The crime occurred on March 2, 2025 at a premises on Waimanu Road where the accused was employed as a watchman during an event at a church service.
The victim, who had been attending a church service with her family, wandered into a basement area of the premises where the assault took place. The attack was discovered by the victim’s 13-year-old sister, triggering the day’s judicial proceedings.
Justice Daniel Goundar described the case as profoundly disturbing. He noted the victim’s extreme vulnerability and the offender’s conduct, emphasizing that “the courts are increasingly confronted with cases of sexual exploitation of vulnerable young children by adult men.” The judge stressed that lenient punishments are not an option in such crimes and reaffirmed Fiji’s stance on treating sexual offences against children with the highest level of denunciation.
In determining the sentence, Justice Goundar started from an 11-year point, added four years for aggravating factors, deducted one year for mitigating factors, and reduced three months for time already spent in custody. The result is a sentence of 13 years and nine months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 11 years.
Context and implications
– The ruling reinforces Fiji’s approach to safeguarding children, signaling that serious crimes against the very young will attract substantial penalties.
– The decision reflects a judicial line that places strong emphasis on the protection of vulnerable victims and deterrence of future offences.
– The case may contribute to encouraging reporting of abuse and reinforces the message that perpetrators will face lengthy detention.
Summary
A 54-year-old watchman received a 13-year, nine-month prison term with an 11-year non-parole period for digitally raping a four-year-old girl in Suva, in a ruling that underscores Fiji’s commitment to robust penalties in cases involving child sexual abuse.
If you’d like, I can add a short section on available victim-support resources and how communities can help improve reporting and protection for children in such settings.
Short takeaway
– The sentence illustrates ongoing judiciary emphasis on deterrence and protection for children in Fiji, reinforcing that offences against minors are treated with the utmost seriousness.
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