Eight Years For Man Who Raped De-Facto Partner's Sister
The man, on July 31, 2017, in Nadi, raped the victim with his fingers. He was 45 years old at the time of the offence while the victim was 24.
Wednesday 18 December 2019 | 13:49
Sexual offences of any nature are considered degrading and the sentence must reflect the court’s abhorrence, said High Court Judge Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena.
He made the statement while sentencing a 47-year-old man to eight years and eight months imprisonment for one count of rape charge.
Justice Wimalasena said the man breached the trust of the victim.
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“You exploited her vulnerability by committing the offence while she was sleeping. I consider those as aggravating factors.
“You committed this offence in the domestic context which makes it more serious. Accordingly, you will serve a sentence of eight years and eight months imprisonment.
“Further, I issue a permanent domestic violence restraining order for non-molestation and for non-contact for the safety of the victim,” Justice Wimalasena said.
The man was given 30 days to appeal to the Fiji Court of Appeal.
The man, on July 31, 2017, in Nadi, raped the victim with his fingers. He was 45 years old at the time of the offence while the victim was 24.
The man was in a defacto relationship with the victim’s sister when the incident took place.
On July 30, 2017, the man drank alcohol with the victim and her sister and a few other friends. When the friends left, the victim went and slept in his room.
While the victim was sleeping, she felt someone kissing her and touching her private parts. When she turned, she recognised the man and his hand was still inside her underwear.
The victim pushed him away and went to the toilet and woke her sister up and told her about the incident. The incident was reported to the Police.
Edited by Ivamere Nataro
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