A 25‑year‑old man has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by the Levuka Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to one count of abduction of a person under 18 years to have carnal knowledge.
Manueli Nakacia admitted to Police that on 25th October 2015 he took the victim away without the consent of the mother to a nearby house and after lying about his name and marital status, had sex with her.
The victim who was 16‑years‑old at the time of the incident then got pregnant.
Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne considered the mitigating factors that the man is 25‑years‑old, married with a small child, a first offender and is seeking forgiveness.
He also considered that the man pleaded guilty saving the victim from giving evidence.
Magistrate Somaratne said Manueli Nakacia falls into the category of men who prey on the vulnerable girls in this country.
He said there was no evidence about a relationship between the parties.
Magistrate Somaratne said a custodial sentence is warranted to denounce this behavior and also protect girls in this country.
