50 Year Old Man Gets 20 Months For Indecent Assault
Justice Morais said the accused had served six months in remand and ordered that he serve the remaining 14 months before he was released.
Thursday 20 June 2019 | 14:53
High Court Judge Justice Chamath Morais has told a 50-year-old man that he was fortunate he was not charged with attempted rape or sexual assault, yet the gravity of his offence remained the same.
The 50-year-old accused was convicted and sentenced to 20 months in jail for indecent assault.
Justice Morais said the accused had served six months in remand and ordered that he serve the remaining 14 months before he was released.
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On December 26, 2018, at Tacirua, the accused unlawfully and indecently assaulted the complainant by lying naked on top of her.
The complainant was eight years old at the time. He also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Justice Morais told the accused: “The complainant was vulnerable and the victim’s impact report filed by the State said the offence had a lasting effects on the little girl.
“Though I am compelled to impose such a short term of imprisonment due to the tariff set for the charged offence, in consideration of the gravity of the committed offence, a suspended term would be highly inappropriate.”
The accused has 30 days to appeal.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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