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 imposed the sentence after the man was found guilty on three counts of rape, as well as one count each of indecent and sexual assault.
Evidence presented in court indicated that between 2017 and 2018, the man committed numerous indecent and sexual assaults against the victim in their home. At the time of the incidents, the complainant was 17 years old.
Although the man initially pleaded guilty to five charges, the court found him guilty following testimonies from three witnesses during the trial, including the victim herself. His judgment was delivered on September 27, but he was sentenced the following Friday.
Justice Rajasinghe noted that the crime had a significant emotional and psychological impact on the victim. He emphasized that sexual exploitation of children in domestic settings poses a serious social threat. The court determined that the stepfather took advantage of the victim when she was alone and unable to escape or seek help.
The court criticized the man for exploiting his position as a parental figure to manipulate the victim, coercing her into providing sexual gratification under the guise of a fatherly relationship, taking advantage of her vulnerability.
Even after receiving forgiveness from both the victim and her mother, the man continued to attempt to assault her when the opportunity arose. The court acknowledged his previous good character, noting his 30 years of service as a teacher as a mitigating factor.
He will serve a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been placed against him, which includes no-molestation and no-contact conditions. Violating this order could result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.