A 74-year-old grandfather who raped his 7-year-old granddaughter will be spending the next 11 years behind bars and will not be able to have any contact with her in future.
The man was found guilty by Lautoka High Court Judge Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja.
The incident happened on 13th January last year following a complaint by the victim’s mother who had seen the 74-year-old abusing her daughter.
At the trial the man said that the “child is his bone to bone, flesh to flesh and blood to blood” which was seriously considered by Justice Thurairaja who said that abuse of children by elder members of the family is becoming prevalent.
He said that if this continues, it will ruin the root of a family bond which may result in an insecure youth in the future.
Justice Thurairaja also said that the man betrayed her trust as a paternal grandfather, the victim sustained irreparable damage and made her insecure.
Apart from imprisonment, a permanent Domestic Violence Decree Restraining Order was imposed on him.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
