The High Court has revoked the bail of a Tailevu farmer recently convicted of raping his 15-year-old niece. The ruling comes as the man is remanded in custody pending his sentencing. He was found guilty of rape after an incident on May 10 last year, during which he overpowered the victim while she was washing dishes, covering her mouth and dragging her into a bathroom where he assaulted her despite her pleas for him to stop. Following the incident, the victim bravely reported the crime to the authorities at the Nasinu Police Station.
During the trial, Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu deemed the man’s testimony unreliable and instead accepted the accounts of the victim and prosecution witnesses. The case has been adjourned, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for July 11.
In a broader context, the issue of sexual violence against minors has garnered increasing attention. A recent case involved a 34-year-old man convicted of raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who received a 15-year sentence for his crimes. Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu also presided over this case, highlighting the severe emotional toll such crimes have on young victims. The similarities between these cases underscore the urgent need to address sexual exploitation, particularly against vulnerable minors within their homes.
As society seeks to combat these heinous acts, it remains crucial to support victims and ensure justice is served, reinforcing that such exploitation will not be tolerated.
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