The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 16 years and 10 months in prison after he was found guilty of raping his stepdaughter. The former primary school teacher faced Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, who convicted him on three counts of rape, along with one count each of indecent assault and sexual assault.
The court established that between 2017 and 2018, the man had indecently and sexually assaulted the victim, who was 17 years old at the time, in their home on multiple occasions. Initially, he pleaded guilty to five counts, but a trial ensued where the State presented three witnesses, including the complainant.
While the judgment was delivered on September 27, the sentencing took place last Friday. Justice Rajasinghe highlighted that the victim’s account indicated significant emotional and psychological harm resulting from the crimes. He emphasized that sexual exploitation of children, particularly in domestic settings, poses a serious social threat.
The court concluded that the stepfather executed these assaults when the complainant was alone and unable to seek help or escape. Despite fulfilling his role as a father in providing for her needs, he abused her vulnerability and youth for his sexual gratification.
Even after receiving forgiveness from both the stepdaughter and her mother, the man continued to exploit opportunities to commit further assaults. The court noted only one mitigating factor—his prior good character, as he had worked as a primary school teacher for 30 years.
He will face a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been imposed on him, including standard no-molestation and no-contact conditions. Any breach of this order will result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.