Your actions are sickening and deplorable. You shamelessly exploited the desperation of a patient in a manner that should be condemned unreservedly.

These were the words of Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena, during the sentencing of a man charged with multiple sexual-related offences last week. The sentencing took place at the High Court in Lautoka on September 25, 2019.

The accused had been sentenced to 10 years and 11 months’ imprisonment.

The court heard, that while the accused had been employed by the Nadi Hospital as a lab technician, the complainant visited the Nadi Hospital to get a blood test done. Her blood sample was taken by a female person at the lab.

When the complainant was waiting for the result, the accused approached her and told her to come back in the evening to get her blood results. The accused told the complainant that she had a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).

The accused had given his mobile number for the complainant to call. When the complainant came to the hospital around 6 pm, the accused asked her to lie on the bed and to take off her mini shorts and her undergarment. The accused touched the complainant inappropriately under the guise that he was examining her.

He later tried to assault the complainant while she was in a bathroom.

“The complainant pushed you away and ran to the room where she left her clothes,” Justice Wimalasena said.

The High Court Judge said that the accused used his position to fulfil his perverted desires.

The accused has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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