A man has been convicted by the High Court in Lautoka for raping a hearing and speech impaired girl in 2020. The man faced four charges of rape related to incidents that took place on December 15, 2020, in Nadi and was found guilty on two counts.
Court documents revealed that the victim was waiting for transport home when the accused approached her in a vehicle and forcibly offered her a ride. During the incident, he made unwanted advances while threatening her with a rod or stick.
The offenses occurred in Wailoaloa and at a hotel in Votualevu. Judge Sunil Sharma stated that the court determined the accused was aware or believed that the victim was not consenting, or did not care if she was not consenting at that time.