The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 16 years and 10 months in prison after he was convicted of raping his stepdaughter. The defendant, a former primary school teacher, received this sentence from Justice Thushara Rajasinghe. He was found guilty on three counts of rape, as well as one count each of indecent and sexual assault.
Evidence presented in court revealed that between 2017 and 2018, the man had repeatedly indecently and sexually assaulted his stepdaughter in their home. At the time of the incidents, the victim was just 17 years old. Although he initially pleaded guilty to five charges, the man was ultimately found guilty by the court following testimony from three witnesses, including the victim.
The judgment was delivered on September 27, but the sentencing took place the following Friday. During the proceedings, Justice Rajasinghe highlighted that the victim’s report indicated the emotional and psychological toll the crime had taken on her. The judge noted that sexual exploitation of children in domestic settings has become a significant societal issue.
The court determined that the stepfather committed his crimes when the complainant was alone and vulnerable. It was found that he abused his role as her caregiver and sought sexual gratification from her by manipulating her emotional vulnerability.
Despite the victim and her mother forgiving him, the court noted that the man continued to take advantage of his stepdaughter whenever the opportunity arose. The only mitigating factor considered during sentencing was his previously good character, having served as a primary school teacher for three decades.
He will serve a non-parole term of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been placed against him, which includes standard no-contact and no-molestation conditions. Any breach of this order could lead to prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.