Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca to be sentenced this morning

All Nations Church leader Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca will be sentenced by Justice Paul Madigan this morning.

Reverend Ratabacaca has been found guilty of sexual assault and faces a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment.

Defense lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo asked if the judge can consider a one to three year sentence and hand down a suspended sentence.

Vosarogo asked Judge Madigan to consider Ratabacaca’s good character, his age and record.

He also asked if Ratabacaca can be given a bound over sentence with conditions.

DPP lawyer Lisiate Fotofili highlighted the aggravating factors and emphasized that there was a breach of trust.

He said the victim went to Ratabacaca for help.

Fotofili said the victim was an outpatient at Saint Giles Hospital suffering from acute psychotic disorder.

He said the acts done were planned and money was offered to her after each act.

Last Friday, a large group of supporters of Ratabacaca had gathered outside the court when he was found guilty of one count of sexual assault where they started to call out for the victim to come out of the court room.

Police had managed to safely escort her out of the court house.

A stern warning has been sent to supporters of Ratabacaca as he faces judgement day today.

Chief of Operations ACP Rusiate Tudravu said police officers will be outside the court house this morning to take immediate action against anyone who tries to do anything to the victim.