Suspended cop convicted of repeated sexual abuse of teen girl

A suspended police officer has been found guilty by the High Court in Suva of repeatedly sexually abusing a teenage girl over a period of nearly three years.

The accused appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere earlier this week and was convicted on nine charges: four counts of sexual assault, four counts of rape and one count of defilement of a girl aged between 13 and 16.

The offences were committed between December 2019 and August 2022, when the complainant was aged between 13 and 15.

The High Court heard that the offending began with repeated sexual assaults involving unwanted indecent acts, before escalating into rape over time.

The court found that in 2021 the accused raped the complainant on several occasions.

He was also found guilty of defilement after the court determined he unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the girl while she was under the age of 16.

The incidents occurred at multiple locations, including Kinoya, Wailotua Village in Tailevu, Nakorosule Village in Naitasiri and Suva.

During the trial, the accused denied all allegations and maintained his innocence.

However, in its judgment, the High Court found the complainant’s evidence to be credible, consistent and reliable.

Justice Tuiqereqere said her account remained firm under cross-examination and was supported by other evidence presented before the court.

The accused has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 21.

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