A 47-year-old man has received a prison sentence of nine years and nine months for two counts of rape, as determined by the Lautoka High Court.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that on December 15, 2020, the convicted individual offered a ride to the victim, who is a special needs person that is deaf and mute, under the guise of taking her home. However, instead of following through on this promise, the man threatened her and drove to a hotel in Votualevu, where he had booked a room.
Once at the hotel, the accused forcibly removed the victim from his vehicle, leading her to the room where he assaulted her. High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma emphasized the betrayal of trust, stating that the victim had relied on the defendant’s promise to take her home when she got into his car.
Justice Sharma noted that the accused had deliberately chosen to exploit the victim’s vulnerabilities, especially after recognizing her inability to hear or speak, and took full control of the situation to carry out the assault.
He remarked, “Rape not only affects the integrity of a victim but violates human dignity, leaving behind lifelong psychological scars and a sense of hopelessness that can endure long after physical wounds have healed.” He condemned the act of taking advantage of an innocent individual with special needs and stressed that a significant custodial sentence was essential as a deterrent.
According to the victim’s impact statement, she continues to face emotional and psychological challenges due to the incident. The 47-year-old man has 30 days to file an appeal against his sentence and conviction.