A kava dealer from Taveuni has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for dishonestly obtaining $500 from his customer and then raping her on the 30th of September, 2015.
While sentencing Epeli Lealeavono, High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo said that this was a serious breach of trust.
Justice Temo said that Lealeavono had asked her for a $500 cash advance on the 29th of September, 2015, in exchange for some grog he was supposed to deliver later on that day.
When the woman asked for the grog the following day, he told her to go to the bush to see the grog.
Justice Temo told Lealeavono that the woman trusted him and went in his vehicle to see the grog.
He said Lealeavono threatened to kill the woman and then raped her.
Justice Temo said that Lealeavono showed no regard to the woman’s right as a human being and has brought her and her family heartache and sadness.
Lealeavono has been handed a non-parole sentence of 13 years.
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