The conduct of touching the genitals of an adolescent girl and then having sexual intercourse without her consent is equally serious.

High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar made the comment when delivering an 18-year sentence with a non-parole period of 14 years on a mechanic last Friday in Lautoka.

The accused, 26, was convicted for five counts of rape and one count of indecent assault of his then 16-year-old stepdaughter.

Justice Goundar said the complainant not only suffered physical trauma, but she also suffered psychological trauma at the hands of the accused.

“There is virtually no logical explanation for the accused’s conduct,” he said.

“The victim had also contemplated suicide and even attempted one.”

Justice Goundar said the accused breached the trust of the complainant who was her stepfather and guardian.

The incident started in October 2016, when the complainant went to live with her biological mother in Lautoka. The complainant’s mother was living with the man in a one-bedroom rented house.

By December 2016, the sexual abuse turned into rape. The first occurred in the home on December 6. Other indecent acts were committed before sexual intercourse.

Between the period December 2016 and January 2017, the accused raped the complainant on five different occasions in their home.

The accused had threatened the complainant not to report the matter.

She complained to Police after school and her mother was called to the station, however, the mother convinced Police and the social welfare officers that the victim’s character was questionable.

The Police did not register the complainant’s report and she was returned to her mother. When she returned home she was beaten and subjected to verbal abuse from her mother. She then tried to take her own life but was unsuccessful.

By February 2017, the complainant discovered that she was at an early stage of pregnancy after her mother took her to a local doctor. She said she was impregnated by the man (her stepfather).

Shortly after discovering the pregnancy, the complainant was forced to terminate the pregnancy.

After the termination of her pregnancy, she was rescued by her relatives.

A permanent domestic violence restraining order with no contact and non-molestation condition was issued against the accused to protect the victim.

The accused has 30 days to appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.

Edited by Percy Kean

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