A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for indecently assaulting his 14-year-old cousin in Taveuni last month.
Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne said the victim was the 24-year-old man’s cousin and he breached her trust.
Magistrate Somaratne said that in mitigation that the man submitted that he has reconciled with the victim, he is the sole breadwinner of the family and is remorseful.
He also highlighted that the man pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and saved the victim from giving evidence.
Magistrate Somaratne said presently there is an increase in the number of sexual offences in this country involving children.
He said it appears that most of the perpetrators are close family members.
Magistrate Somaratne said children need to be protected in their homes and people who commit these kinds of offences need to be punished with harsh sentences.
For the safety of the victim Magistrate Somaratne has also granted a permanent domestic violence restraining order with standard non‑molestation conditions.
