A 49-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for one count of sexual assault and one count of rape of a family member.
The incident took place on the 1st of October 2025 to the 31st of October, 2025.
The man had pleaded guilty on his own free will.
Labasa Magistrate Lee James Burnley says the 16-year-old girl had informed her grandmother, who reported the matter to the police.
During caution interview, the man admitted that he sexually assaulted and raped the complainant on a number of occasions.
He also told the police that he did that because he had admired the complainant for a long time.
The prosecution submits that his offending is made more serious because the complainant regarded him as her grandfather.
The complainant was diagnosed intellectual impairment and in her victim impact statement, she speaks of her shame and embarrassment.
Justice Burnley says what makes the offending more serious, including the complainant’s extreme vulnerability and breach of trust.
Justice Burnley encourages him to reflect at length on the inevitable harm caused to the complainant, and to engage with any intervention programmes that may be available during his period of incarceration.
A non-parole period of 6 years and 5 months has been set.
