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. Justice Sunil Sharma condemned the accused’s actions as “selfish and lustful,” emphasizing the shame he brought upon himself and his family.
During the sentencing, Justice Sharma noted, “For your gratification, you had no regard for the victim.” He highlighted that the defendant had taken advantage of an innocent individual with special needs and underscored the necessity of removing him from society for a significant duration.
The court proceedings revealed that on December 15, 2020, the accused had offered the victim a ride home. However, instead of taking her home, he diverted to a hotel in Votualevu, where he checked into a room. Once there, he forcibly removed her clothes and smoked a cigarette before overpowering and raping her.
Following the assault, he dropped the victim off in Namaka and fled the scene. The victim reported the incident to the police, who subsequently conducted a medical examination and arrested the accused.
Justice Sharma pointed out several aggravating factors in the case, including the breach of trust by the accused and the premeditated nature of his actions. He had discerned that the victim was deaf and mute and exploited her vulnerability while in control of the situation.
The victim’s impact statement revealed her fears regarding the accused and conveyed feelings of shame, humiliation, and stress caused by his actions.