5 December, 2025, 7:02 pm Central - 25°C Clouds

Former Project Officer for the Ministry of Health sentenced to more than 10 years imprisonment for raping woman

Former Project Officer for the Ministry of Health sentenced to more than 10 years imprisonment for raping woman

By Naveel Krishant
10/07/2020

A former Project Officer for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services who raped a woman at their work place in Ba in July 2017 has been sentenced to 10 years, 11 months and 15 days imprisonment.

While sentencing the man, High Court Judge, Justice Sunil Sharma says the woman was known to the man and he had made arrangements for her employment.

He says the woman had gone to the office of the man upon his request and had trusted him.

Justice Sharma further says the accused breached the trust of the woman.

The woman had mentioned in the victim impact statement that she is fearful of the man and she still gets flashbacks of what had happened to her.

The Judge adds the man had submitted in his mitigation that he shall not seek remorse, since he knows that the acts were consensual, however, he pleads for leniency.

Justice Sharma says during the hearing he noticed that the man was smiling when his counsel was vigorously cross-examining the victim which did not suggest any regret or remorse on the man’s part.

A non-parole period of 9 years has been set.

FEATURE NEWS
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Deaf respondents were among the most affected by online abuse during COVID-19 survey
Findings from the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation and the Disability Rights Fund survey show that during COVID-19, 24 percent of respondents ...
1 hour ago

$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
1 hour ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
2 hours ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
3 hours ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
9 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
9 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP