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. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe delivered the sentence, convicting the former primary school teacher on three counts of rape, as well as one count each of indecent assault and sexual assault.
The court heard that between 2017 and 2018, the man committed multiple indecent and sexual assaults against the complainant, who was 17 years old at the time. Initially, he pleaded guilty to all five charges but was ultimately convicted based on the evidence presented by three witnesses, including the complainant, during the trial.
The sentencing occurred on a Friday following the judgment delivered on September 27. Justice Rajasinghe highlighted that the victim’s testimony indicated that the assaults had a significant emotional and psychological impact on her. The judge pointed out that the sexual exploitation of children in domestic settings has become a pressing social issue.
The court noted that the stepfather executed his crimes while the complainant was alone and vulnerable. Justice Rajasinghe remarked that while he provided for her needs as a father figure, he exploited her vulnerability to seek sexual gratification.
Even after the victim expressed forgiveness, the man continued to attempt sexual assault when given the opportunity. The court acknowledged his previously good character as a mitigating factor, given his 30 years of service as a primary school teacher.
He will serve a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, a permanent domestic violence restraining order has been issued against him, which includes standard no-molestation and no-contact conditions. Violating this order could result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.