A school teacher who wrongly confined a teenage girl when he was teaching in Labasa was jailed yesterday by the Labasa Magistrates Court.

Binesh Babu, 39, was sentenced to six months imprisonment by Magistrate Bimsara Jagodage.

Babu, who was represented by Ami Kohli, was charged with one count of wrongful confinement.

The court heard that on November 23, 2016, Babu wrongly confined Aniza Dean who was 18-years-old at the time and a student of the same secondary school where he taught in Labasa.

Magistrate Jagodage said Babu had met the complainant at Vulovi and had informed her that he could drop her to her home because he was going the same way.

The court heard when they reached Soasoa, Babu asked the complainant to go for a 10-minute ride with him, which she refused.

The victim told Babu three times to stop the car otherwise she would jump off the car.

When Babu failed to do so, she jumped off the car.

The accused maintained a not guilty plea.

Magistrate Jagodage said there was a breach of trust and the victim suffered several injuries. However, he considered his good character saying that he was a first offender and was unlikely to get a teaching job.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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