A 22-year-old mute man has been sentenced to nine years and eleven months imprisonment for raping a 9-year-old boy.
The incident took place on 12th March this year in Navua.
The unemployed man had pleaded guilty to a count each of rape and sexual assault.
While handing down the sentence, Justice Riyaz Hamza stated that there has been a breach of trust as the man was the boy's neighbour.
The Judge said the mute man committed the offence while the boy was sleeping.
He also noted that the man was a member of the Fiji deaf rugby team.
Justice Hamza has placed a non-parole period of five years, six months.
