The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to nearly 14 years in prison for multiple sexual assault and rape offenses. The sentencing took place before High Court Judge Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu on Wednesday.
The man faced charges of three counts of sexual assault as defined by section 210 (1) (a) of the Crimes Act 2009 and two counts of rape under section 207 (1) and 2 (b) of the same act. The court found that between June and December 2020, in Naikawaga Village, Tailevu, he unlawfully and indecently assaulted the victim. Additionally, between January and December 2018, he was found to have penetrated the victim without her consent in the same location.
During the proceedings, the accused entered a voluntary guilty plea for all five charges. Justice Bulamainaivalu highlighted that considering section 18 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act 2009 and a previous Supreme Court ruling, the court established a non-parole period of 12 years for the sentence. The accused has 30 days to file an appeal against the sentence.