A former headteacher was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment yesterday for indecently assaulting a female student on July 19, 2016.

The accused appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court for unlawfully and indecently assaulting the student by fondling her breasts when she went to his office to fetch her flash drive.

While sentencing the accused ex-headteacher, Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage said there was a serious breach of trust since the accused acted as a guardian to students during their time in school.

He said the girl was more vulnerable in his hands as the chief of the school and while he was supposed to create an environment for them free from harm instead he abused the victim during school hours.

“The victim revealed that she felt like committing suicide,” the Magistrate said.

Therefore, her mental suffering after the incident is a main factor to be considered in determining the sentence.”

Prosecution submitted that the accused had no previous convictions.

He was told that his conduct as a headteacher should not be considered leniently because society expected teachers to be more responsible than any other towards children.

“The parents expect their children to be safer in the school in the hands of teachers than any other place,” Magistrate Liyanage said.

“This victim and their parents have lost this trust on this particular day.”

Magistrate Liyanage said children considered their teachers as role models and the State had a duty to ensure their safety by all organs of the State.

In those circumstances, the court ruled that a non-custodial sentence would not meet justice to the victim and society.

He said the purpose of sentencing was to signify that the court and the community denounce the committing of such offences.

The accused was ordered to pay $1000 compensation to the victim for her mental suffering.

He was given 28 days to appeal.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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