The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to 16 years and 10 months in prison after he was found guilty of raping his stepdaughter. The former primary school teacher received the sentence from Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, having been convicted on three counts of rape, along with one count each of indecent assault and sexual assault.
The court established that on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2018, the man committed indecent and sexual assaults against the victim within their home when she was 17 years old. Initially, the man pleaded guilty to all five counts but was ultimately found guilty after the State presented evidence from three witnesses during the trial, including the complainant herself.
The judgment was delivered on September 27, but the sentencing occurred the following Friday. Justice Rajasinghe noted that the crimes had caused significant emotional and psychological harm to the victim. He highlighted the issue of sexual exploitation of children in domestic settings as a growing social concern.
The court determined that the stepfather exploited the victim’s vulnerability while pretending to fulfill his paternal obligations. Despite being forgiven by his stepdaughter and her mother, he continued to seek opportunities for further sexual assault.
Only one mitigating factor, his previously good character from three decades as a primary school teacher, was considered. He is required to serve a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. In addition, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been placed against him, with specific conditions prohibiting any contact or molestation, failure of which could lead to prosecution under the Domestic Violence Act.