A 47-year-old man has received a sentence of nine years and nine months in prison for two counts of rape, as ruled by the Lautoka High Court.
The court was informed that on December 15, 2020, the defendant offered a ride to the victim, a deaf and mute individual, under the pretense of giving her a lift home. Instead of taking her to her destination, he threatened the victim and drove her to a hotel in Votualevu, where he rented a room.
Once there, the accused forcibly removed the victim from the car and assaulted her. High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma pointed out that the man violated the trust of the victim when he offered her a ride, leading her to believe she would be returned safely home.
Justice Sharma noted that the defendant had deliberately planned the assault, as he recognized that the victim had special needs. By controlling the vehicle and the circumstances, he exploited the victim’s vulnerability.
He emphasized that rape is a violation of a victim’s integrity and human dignity, leaving lasting psychological scars that can lead to feelings of self-blame and hopelessness, even long after physical injuries have healed.
“You have taken advantage of an innocent special needs individual. This court would not fulfill its duty if it fails to impose a lengthy custodial sentence. The victim’s impact statement reveals that she continues to suffer emotional and psychological distress from the incident,” Justice Sharma stated.
The convicted man has 30 days to appeal his sentence and conviction.