53yr old jailed for 14yrs for raping 10yr old girl

A 53 year old father of two of Navua will spend 14 years in jail for raping a ten year old girl on two occasions between 1st March and 18th November, 2011.

Suva High Court judge, Justice Salesi Temo said that the aggravating factor is the breach of neighbourly trust and according to prosecution, the female complainant treated the accused as her uncle.

Judge Temo said that the courts have said repeatedly that children are the most vulnerable in our society and must be protected.

He said the criminal actions of the accused have ruined the child's life as she was a bright student before the incident.

Judge Temo said now, the girl's standard of education has dropped and she is fearful most of the time and wants to be left alone.

The accused is to serve a non-parole period of 12 years imprisonment.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima