Cakaudrove man gets 9 years for rape

A 20-year-old unemployed man of Cakaudrove who pleaded guilty to the charge of raping a three-year-old girl in 2012 has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment by the Labasa High Court.

The court heard that on the 29th of June 2012, the victim travelled to school with her five-year-old brother and upon reaching the school, they found out that there will be no classes on that day.

The two and another student started playing in the kindergarten block when the 20-year-old grabbed the victim and raped her in a toilet.

The brother witnessed the incident and informed his mother about it.

High Court Judge Justice Prabhaharan Kumararatnam said that the accused has instilled a sense of fear into the victim which may affect her whole life.

The High Court Judge also noted that the accused had pleaded guilty before the trial and had saved the victim from having to relive the ordeal all over again while giving evidence.

Justice Kumararatnam also noted that the accused spent 10 months in remand and was remorseful.

Justice Kumararatnam sentenced him to 9 years imprisonment and imposed a non parole period of 5 years.

Story by: Praneeta Prakash