Rapist ‘Demon In Human Form’ Jailed For Life

A 74-year-old man who raped and indecently assaulted two of his biological daughters over a span of 31 years was yesterday jailed for life without parole by the High Court in Suva.
Justice Daniel Goundar in his ruling strongly reprimanded the man, who is wheelchair bound, saying “Prison life will have some impact on you because of your disability, but physical disability is not an excuse to reduce your sentence.”
He said the case was one of the worst to be presented in Fiji’s court history, calling the accused “a demon in human form.”
The sentencing comes after the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court last week, increasing the tariff for child rape offences in Fiji from 11 to 20 years imprisonment, compared to the previous 10 to 16-year term in the past.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution lawyers led the prosecution (from left), Lavenia Bogitini, Assistant DPP Dato
Shaymala Alagendra, and Juleen Fatiaki outside the High Court in Suva on December 14, 2018. Photo: Ashna Kumar
The case: First Victim
The accused had raped his daughter from the age of 10 years and impregnated her at the age of 14.
The child, who was born out of the rape, was also raped by the accused when she turned 10.
The accused started his sexual campaign in 1982 when the first victim was 10-years-old and he was 38.
He had raped her on various occasions inside their home and in the sugarcane field in the Western Division.
In 1986, the accused impregnated his biological daughter when she was 14.
After she gave birth, she was later married and lived a happy life with her family.
Justice Goundar, in his sentencing, also highlighted that the accused continued to rape her even when she was married and pregnant with her husband’s child in 1992.
Second Victim
For the second victim, the accused started the sexual campaign in 1997 till 2013.
The victim, who is the man’s biological daughter and granddaughter was 10-years-old when he started his sexual campaign.
The last incident occurred when the victim was 23-years-old and the accused was 69.
Conviction and ruling
The 74-year-old man was convicted for seven counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault.
Justice Goundar said for the two victims, the demons were real in the form of their own father.
“You preyed on your biological daughters when they were minors.
“Your conduct is unspeakable and your crime is undisputed. The victims were traumatised and felt suicidal.
“Your daughter gave birth to a child when she herself was a child. Your wife knew about the incidents but kept quiet as you had the authority and control over your family,” Justice Goundar said.
He said the case represented a very disturbing behaviour by a father to his children.
While sentencing, Justice Goundar said that old age was not a mitigating factor especially in sexual offences.
“Your age is not exceptional to grant you mercy. Old age is not a licence to commit an offence.”
Justice Goundar had issued a permanent domestic violence restraining order with a non-molestation and no contact with the victims order.
The judge did not impose any non-parole period as he sentenced the man to life imprisonment for each count of rape and five years for each count of indecent assault.
Edited by Caroline Ratucadra
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