Court sentenced cousin to 11 years for rape

A man who raped his 11-year-old cousin on two occasions in 2021 has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by the High Court in Labasa.

The accused, who was 19 at the time of the offence and is now 24, was charged with two counts of rape.

He appeared before Justice Lee James Burney.

The court heard the offences occurred while the complainant was staying under the care of the accused’s mother.

The complainant did not report the abuse immediately and later informed her parents after school on August 30, 2022.

She testified that she was afraid to tell the accused’s mother earlier after being threatened by the accused.

State lawyer, Taitusi Tuenuku’s sentencing submission was accepted by Judge Justice Burney when he pointed out that older people are expected to be protectors of young members of society and not become their sexual abusers.

Judge Justice Burney said the accused threatened his cousin in order to avoid responsibility for his offending against her.

Thus, this increased the harm caused to her as she had to suffer in silence.

The victim’s impact statement highlights the sense of isolation and shame that his offending has caused her

Judge Justice Burney said to the young first offender’s offences committed were of the utmost gravity.

Therefore, he was sentenced him to 11 years’ imprisonment, less the time had already served on remand with a non-parole period of six years and nine months effective from December 19.