Former Fijian 7s rep Amenoni Nasilasila was yesterday sentenced to eight years imprisonment by the High Court in Lautoka.

Nasilasila, who was charged with one count of rape, appeared before Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.

He was represented by Mark Anthony while the state prosecution was represented by Taitusi Tuenuku.

The court heard that on December 22, 2018, the victim, a flight attendant, was to return home on the day and was residing with her aunt in Olosara, Sigatoka, where a drunk Nasilasila visited her.

The offence had occurred when the victim went inside the house to get her phone upon hearing notifications on her mobile phone.

Nasilasila then followed her into the room and committed the offence.

The court heard that the victim gave evidence of the physical and emotional toll on her and suffered from mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms, which were not challenged by the defence counsel.

Sentencing

While stating the mitigating factors Justice Goundar said Nasilasila was 27 years old and single with a two-year-old daughter, came from a humble background and was brought up by a single mother with his two siblings.

“The offence the accused committed is not a reflection of the values that were taught to him by his mother. Those values in fact helped him to establish himself as a professional sportsman both locally and internationally,” Justice Goundar said.

Justice Goundar also said that Nasilasila’s character was unblemished until he committed the offence.

“For the accused, a fall from grace is punishment in itself unfortunately the realisation was late and so is the apology for clemency,” Justice Goundar said.

Nasilasila is sentenced with a non-parole period of six years and has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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