The High Court in Suva has sentenced a former primary school teacher to 16 years and 10 months in prison for the rape of his stepdaughter. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe issued the sentence after the man was convicted on three counts of rape, alongside one count each of indecent assault and sexual assault.
The court heard that the offenses occurred multiple times between 2017 and 2018, with the victim, who was 17 years old at the time, being assaulted in their home. Although the man initially pleaded guilty to five charges, he was ultimately found guilty after the State presented three witnesses, including the complainant, during the trial.
Delivering the judgment on September 27, which was followed by sentencing on the subsequent Friday, Justice Rajasinghe noted that the victim reported significant emotional and psychological harm due to the crimes. The judge emphasized that sexual exploitation of children in their homes poses a serious social issue.
The court found that the perpetrator took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and young age, fulfilling his role as a father while simultaneously seeking sexual gratification from her. Even after being forgiven by the stepdaughter and her mother, he attempted to assault her again when he had an opportunity.
The judge considered his previous good character, having served as a primary school teacher for 30 years, as a mitigating factor in sentencing. The man will serve 14 years and 10 months without parole, and a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been placed against him, which includes standard no-contact and no-molestation terms. Violation of this order may result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.