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 was sentenced by Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, having been convicted on three counts of rape, along with one count each of indecent and sexual assault.
Evidence presented in court established that the man indecently and sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2018 at their home. At the time of the incidents, the victim was 17 years old.
Initially, the man pleaded guilty to five counts; however, following the testimony of three witnesses, including the complainant, the court found him guilty. His judgment was delivered on September 27, and he received the formal sentence last Friday.
Justice Rajasinghe noted that the victim’s report revealed that the crime had severely impacted her emotionally and psychologically. He emphasized that the sexual exploitation of children within their homes has become a significant social concern.
The court determined that the stepfather carried out the assaults while the complainant was alone and unable to escape or seek help. Although he was supposed to support her as a caregiver, he manipulated her vulnerability and young age for his own sexual gratification.
Even after being forgiven by both his stepdaughter and her mother, the man continued to make attempts at sexual assault whenever he had the chance. The court acknowledged his previously good character, stemming from his 30 years as a primary school teacher, as a mitigating factor in his sentencing.
He will serve his sentence with a non-parole period of 14 years and 10 months. Additionally, a permanent restraining order related to domestic violence has been imposed, including no contact and no molestation conditions. Violation of this order could result in prosecution under Section 77 of the Domestic Violence Act.