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 a ride to the victim, who has special needs and is deaf and mute, under the guise of taking her home.
Instead of fulfilling his promise, the man threatened the victim and drove her to a hotel in Votualevu, where he had booked a room. He then forcibly took her from the car to the hotel room and assaulted her.
Justice Sunil Sharma emphasized that the man violated the victim’s trust, as she relied on him to take her home. Instead, he took her to a different location and sexually assaulted her. The judge noted the man’s premeditated actions, taking advantage of the victim’s vulnerability due to her disabilities.
Justice Sharma stated that rape deeply impacts not only the victim’s integrity but also their human dignity, leaving lasting psychological scars that often do not heal, even after physical injuries have healed. He remarked on the severe implications of the man’s actions, highlighting the long-lasting emotional and psychological effects on the victim, who continues to suffer as a result of the incident.
The convicted man has been given 30 days to appeal both his sentence and conviction.