Women must have freedom to socialise in nightclubs and their uninhibited manner during such gatherings should not be misunderstood as being an invitation to engage in sexual activity.

These were the sentiments echoed by Lautoka High Court judge, Justice Aruna Aluthge, while sentencing a 24-year-old Sigatoka man on Friday to six years and nine months imprisonment for rape.

On October 15, 2014 the accused had sex with the complainant without her consent. The facts revealed that the accused and the complainant were paternal cousins.

Justice Aluthge said by prescribing life imprisonment for rape, law makers expected the courts to impose harsher punishments on rape offenders.

He said the heinous crime was prevalent in Fiji and offenders must be punished to denounce and send a clear message to the community that, “no such actions will be tolerated by courts”.

Justice Aluthge said the complainant was in a vulnerable situation and the accused chose to satisfy his lustful demands without having any regard to her health and wellbeing.

The accused has been ordered to serve six years of his sentence before he can be eligible for parole.

Edited by Percy Kean

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