The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 16 years and 10 months in prison for the rape of his stepdaughter. The former primary school teacher received the sentence from Justice Thushara Rajasinghe after being found guilty of three counts of rape, as well as one count each of indecent and sexual assault.
The court established that between 2017 and 2018, the man had subjected his stepdaughter to indecent and sexual assaults in their home. At the time of the incidents, the victim was 17 years old. Although the man initially pleaded guilty to the charges, he was ultimately convicted following testimony from three witnesses, including the complainant.
The judgment was delivered on September 27, with sentencing taking place the following Friday. Justice Rajasinghe noted that the victim’s report indicated that the abuse had significant emotional and psychological impacts on her. He emphasized that the sexual exploitation of children in their own homes poses a serious societal danger.
The court found that the stepfather had committed the offenses during times when the complainant was alone and unable to seek help. Justice Rajasinghe remarked that the man had taken advantage of his role as a parental figure to fulfill his own sexual desires, exploiting the victim’s vulnerability and youth.
Despite having been forgiven by both his stepdaughter and her mother, the man continued to seek opportunities to assault her. The court took into account his long-standing good character as a teacher over three decades as a mitigating factor.
He will serve a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, the court has issued a permanent domestic violence restraining order against him, which includes standard no-contact and no-molestation conditions. Violating this order may result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.