High Court jails man for repeated rape of niece in Sigatoka

A 62-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for raping his 16-year-old niece, who has an intellectual disability, on multiple occasions in Sigatoka.

The man was convicted after a trial in the High Court in Lautoka on one count of rape.

The court heard that the offending took place between June and November 2024 at the pair’s workplace, known as Beach House.

In sentencing, Justice Aruna Aluthge said the victim was the offender’s niece, neighbour and trusted workmate. She has an intellectual disability and was unable to give consent.

The court was also told that the offender made the victim pregnant and continued to engage in sexual acts with her even after learning of the pregnancy.

He also threatened her to prevent her from revealing that he was the father.

Justice Aluthge identified the significant age gap, the breach of trust and the harm caused to the victim as aggravating factors.

The judge began with a starting sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment and increased it to account for those factors, before allowing a reduction due to the offender’s age, lack of previous convictions and family responsibilities.

The man was sentenced yesterday and ordered to serve a minimum of 10 years before becoming eligible for parole.

He has 30 days to appeal the sentence to the Court of Appeal.