A 70-year-old man has today been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for two counts of rape.
The elderly man had raped a 10-year-old girl and the matter only came to light when the girl complained of pain to her abdomen to her class teacher.
Lautoka High Court Judge, Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja set the sentence at 15 years however he reduced it by 5 years considering that the man was a first offender, he is 70 years old, he claims to be an asthmatic patient and his daughter seeks forgiveness.
Justice Thurairaja said considering the man’s age, the court is also mindful of the safety of the children who are of tender years.
He said the sentence imposed on the man should be a lesson to all offenders in the future and the court will not tolerate this type of abuse against the children.
The 70-year-old will not be eligible for parole for a period of 8 years.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
