Teacher found guilty on six counts of rape

A teacher has been found guilty on six counts of rape after the High Court in Suva accepted the evidence of three students.

Justice Usaia Ratuvili convicted the man following a trial in which three complainants — two 17-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy — gave evidence about incidents alleged to have occurred between 2023 and 2024.

The court heard that the students visited the teacher's residence on separate occasions, where the offences took place.

In his judgment, Justice Ratuvili found the complainants to be reliable witnesses whose accounts remained consistent throughout the proceedings.

The judge said that although there were no independent eyewitnesses to support the allegations, the evidence presented by the students was compelling and credible.

During the trial, the State called five witnesses, including the three complainants, the school's assistant principal and the investigating officer.

The defence denied the allegations and questioned the quality of the police investigation. The accused also claimed he was elsewhere during one of the alleged incidents and raised issues relating to the electricity supply at his residence.

However, the court found that the investigation had been properly conducted and that the accused had been fully informed of the allegations against him.

Justice Ratuvili ruled that the prosecution had discharged its burden of proof and established the offences beyond reasonable doubt.

The matter has been adjourned to June 18 for sentencing submissions and mitigation.