A 47-year-old man has received a sentence of nine years and nine months in prison after being convicted 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 under the pretension of taking her home. The victim, who has special needs and is both deaf and mute, was instead taken to a hotel in Votualevu where the man had booked a room.
During the incident, the man forcibly removed the victim from the car, escorted her to the hotel room, and assaulted her. High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma noted that the accused violated the trust placed in him by the victim, who expected to be dropped off safely.
Justice Sharma highlighted that the man’s actions were particularly egregious, given that he took advantage of the victim’s vulnerabilities, knowing she could not communicate her distress. He emphasized that rape profoundly impacts the victim’s integrity and human dignity, often leading to enduring psychological scars and a sense of hopelessness.
The judge stated, “You have taken advantage of an innocent special needs individual. This court would fail in its duty if it did not impose a substantial custodial sentence.” He added that according to the victim’s impact statement, she continues to experience emotional and psychological distress as a result of the incident. The accused has a 30-day window to appeal his conviction and sentence.