The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 13 years and 11 months in prison for multiple sexual assault and rape charges. The defendant appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu on Wednesday.
He was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape, violating sections of the Crimes Act 2009. The incidents reportedly occurred between June and December 2020, and between January and December 2018, in Naikawaga Village, Tailevu. During this period, he unlawfully assaulted and penetrated the victim without her consent.
The court noted that the accused pleaded guilty to all five charges. Justice Bulamainaivalu stated that, according to section 18 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act 2009 and a prior Supreme Court ruling, the non-parole period for this case is set at 12 years.
The defendant has 30 days to file an appeal against the sentence.