A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape by the Lautoka High Court.
The court heard that on December 15, 2020, the man offered the victim, who is deaf and mute, a ride under the guise of taking her home. Instead of following through, he threatened her and drove to a hotel in Votualevu, where he rented a room.
Once there, the man forcibly removed her from the car and assaulted her. High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma stated that the accused violated the victim’s trust by offering a ride and not stopping at the designated drop-off point. He noted that there was a significant degree of premeditation involved, particularly considering the victim’s disabilities, which the man exploited to her disadvantage.
Justice Sharma emphasized that rape affects not only the victim’s physical integrity but also their human dignity, leading to lasting psychological harm and feelings of shame and hopelessness that persist long after physical injuries have healed. He remarked on the accused’s exploitation of an innocent person with special needs and asserted that a substantial prison sentence is necessary to serve as a deterrent. The victim’s impact statement revealed ongoing emotional and psychological consequences from the crime.
The 47-year-old has 30 days to file an appeal against his sentence and conviction.