A lawyer representing a pastor who has been convicted of sexually assaulting 12 boys, aged nine to 16, has requested additional time to submit revised grounds for appeal. This request was made by attorney Tobia Ravuniwa from the Legal Aid Commission during a recent session in the High Court in Suva, presided over by Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
The 43-year-old pastor is challenging both his conviction and the sentence handed down by Magistrate Seini Puamau last year. The magistrate sentenced him to a total of nine years and six months in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of seven years. He was found guilty of multiple charges, including four counts of indecent assault, three counts of indecently insulting a person, as well as two counts of sexual assault with intent to rape, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted sexual assault. In her judgment, Magistrate Puamau described the pastor’s actions as a “multiple sex crime spree” involving children within the village community he served.
Justice Ratuvili is set to revisit the case next month to review the amended grounds for appeal and provide further guidance on the submission timelines. The pastor’s production order has been extended, and the case has been adjourned until December 1.
This case not only highlights serious issues of abuse of power and trust but also underscores the critical need for vigilant community safeguards against individuals in positions of authority who may exploit vulnerable groups. The ongoing legal proceedings serve to remind society of the importance of justice for victims and the responsibility of the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable. There is hope that with continued legal efforts, justice can be realized for the victims affected by these heinous acts.
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