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 was informed that on December 15, 2020, the convicted individual offered to give a lift to the victim under the guise of taking her home. The victim, who has special needs and is both deaf and mute, trusted the man. However, instead of taking her to her intended destination, he threatened her and drove to a hotel in Votualevu, where he booked a room.
Once at the hotel, the accused forcibly removed the victim from the car, took her to the room, and assaulted her.
High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma indicated that the accused betrayed the victim’s trust by failing to stop where she wished to exit the vehicle and instead leading her to a location where she was abused. He noted that there was a significant level of planning involved, as the accused recognized the victim’s disabilities and exploited them, maintaining control over both the vehicle and the situation to take advantage of her vulnerability.
Justice Sharma emphasized that rape not only impacts the physical integrity of a victim but also devastates their human dignity, leading to profound psychological scars and a long-lasting sense of self-blame and hopelessness that persists long after physical wounds have healed. He remarked, “You have taken advantage of an innocent special needs individual,” stressing that imposing a long-term custodial sentence was essential for the court to fulfill its duty. According to the victim’s impact statement, she continues to experience emotional and psychological effects from the assault.
The 47-year-old man has 30 days to file an appeal against his sentence and conviction.