A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison for two counts of rape by the Lautoka High Court.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that on December 15, 2020, the man offered a ride to a special needs victim who is deaf and mute, claiming he would take her home. However, instead of following through, he threatened her and drove to a hotel in Votualevu where he had booked a room.
The defendant then forcibly removed the victim from the car, escorted her to the hotel room, and assaulted her.
High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma emphasized that the accused betrayed the trust of the victim by not stopping where she wanted to exit, and instead took her to a different location to commit his crimes. The judge noted that there was a significant level of planning involved, particularly as the accused was aware of the victim’s disabilities. He exploited the situation, fully taking control of the vehicle and the circumstances to the victim’s detriment.
Justice Sharma stated, “Rape not only impacts the integrity of the victim but also infringes on human dignity, causing lasting psychological scars that can lead to feelings of self-blame and hopelessness long after physical injuries have healed.” He pointed out that the court would neglect its duty if it did not impose a significant custodial sentence, especially considering the emotional and psychological harm the victim continues to suffer as outlined in her impact statement.
The 47-year-old man has 30 days to appeal his sentence and conviction.