A man who raped an 8-year-old girl in 2008 has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar in the Labasa High Court but the sentence will take effect once the man is apprehended by Police.
Following his arrest, the man was granted bail.
He then absconded bail and has since been evading the justice system.
The incident happened in September 2008 in a village in Savusavu.
At the time of the incident, the girl was an 8-year-old student while the offender was 18-years-old.
They were from the same community.
On the day of the incident, the man grabbed and dragged the girl to an isolated spot and raped her.
He then warned the girl not to report the incident to anyone.
In his sentence, Justice Goundar said this is another case of rape of a female child by a young but an adult male.
Justice Goundar said the only mitigating factors are the offender's youth and previous good character at the time of the offence.
The Judge added that the nature and gravity of the offence warrants a lengthy prison sentence.
Justice Goundar said the victim was vulnerable due to her tender age.
He said the offender attacked her body, privacy, and security.
Justice Goundar said the man has no remorse.
A non-parole period of 12 years has been set.
Justice Goundar said the sentence will take effect from the date the offender is apprehended.
He said it is now the responsibility of the police to apprehend the man and commit him to prison.
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