A pastor, who had been sentenced in absentia for sexually assaulting 12 boys aged between nine and 16, has been apprehended by the police four months after multiple inquiries were made regarding his whereabouts. The arrest occurred on Thursday, and he has since been transferred to corrections authorities.
After being sentenced on December 4 of the previous year, the pastor’s location remained a mystery, as he did not appear on the Police’s Most Wanted list. Despite several attempts by The Fiji Times to obtain updates through emails sent from January to March to various authorities—including police and the Director of Public Prosecutions—no responses were received until the situation was highlighted once more before the publication of an article regarding the pastor.
On the day of his arrest, the DPP’s office indicated that a committal warrant had previously been issued and that they had contacted the police for its execution. Following this communication, the police confirmed that the man was indeed arrested and is now in custody.
The court proceedings conducted in his absence resulted in a nine-year sentence, with a minimum of seven years to be served before consideration for parole. The pastor faced numerous charges, including indecent assault and attempted sexual assault, committed while in a position of authority within his community. Magistrate Seini Puamau, who presided over the trial, criticized the pastor for abusing his trust and authority, stating that he had executed a “multiple sex crime spree against children.”
This case adds to ongoing discussions about child protection and the responsibilities of authorities in addressing serious sexual offenses, particularly those involving individuals in trusted positions. The legal system’s response to such crimes is vital, as it not only seeks justice for victims but also aims to prevent future abuses by holding offenders accountable.
The developments in this case serve as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant against such abuses and the necessity for communities to support vulnerable individuals. With the pastor now in custody, there is hope for justice for the victims, reinforcing the commitment to protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that those in positions of authority act responsibly and ethically.
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