The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 13 years and 11 months in prison for multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. The accused appeared before High Court Judge Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu on Wednesday.
He was convicted of three counts of Sexual Assault under section 210 (1) (a) of the Crimes Act 2009, and two counts of Rape under section 207 (1) and 2 (b) of the Crimes Act 2009. The offenses occurred between June and December 2020 at Naikawaga Village in Tailevu, where he unlawfully and indecently assaulted the victim. Additionally, from January to December 2018, he penetrated the victim without her consent at the same location.
The court noted that the accused pleaded guilty to all five charges. Justice Bulamainaivalu determined that, in accordance with section 18 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act 2009 and the Supreme Court ruling in Timo v State [2019] FJSC 22; CAV0022.2018, a non-parole period of 12 years would apply in this case.
The defendant has 30 days to file an appeal against the sentencing.