A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to 9 years and 9 months in prison by the High Court in Lautoka for raping a deaf and mute girl.
During the sentencing, Justice Sunil Sharma remarked that the accused’s actions brought shame to himself and his family, labeling them as “selfish and lustful.” He emphasized that the man showed no regard for the victim and exploited an innocent individual with special needs. Justice Sharma deemed it necessary for the defendant to be removed from society for a considerable period.
Court proceedings revealed that on December 15, 2020, the accused offered the victim a ride home. Instead of taking her home, he drove her to a hotel in Votualevu, where he booked a room, forcibly dragged her from the vehicle, and led her to the room. In the room, he removed her clothing and, while smoking a cigarette, raped her using a piece of soap and two cigarette butts. Subsequently, he dropped her off in Namaka and fled the scene.
The victim reported the incident to the police, underwent a medical examination, and the accused was arrested, interrogated, and charged.
Justice Sharma noted several aggravating factors in the case, stating that the accused had betrayed the victim’s trust by not taking her to her intended destination and instead committing sexual abuse. He highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime, as the accused took control of the situation upon realizing the victim’s disabilities and exploited her vulnerability to his advantage.
In the victim’s impact statement, she expressed feelings of fear towards the accused, along with sensations of shame, humiliation, and stress stemming from the traumatic experience.