St. Giles orderly jailed for pulling down and tearing workmates skirt

An orderly at St. Giles Hospital who pulled down and tore his workmate’s skirt, has been jailed for 12 months.

The Suva Magistrates Court was told that Jese Vakuruivalu made a sound while the woman was walking and then approached her and pulled her skirt down.

While the woman was struggling to stop him, Vakuruivalu then tore her skirt.

The father of six pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault and one count of damaging property.

The incident occurred on 6th June this year.

While passing down the sentence, Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne said that sexual harassment at the work place is embarrassing and humiliating, and the victims suffer silently.

He said in this case the victim has to be commended for coming out and reporting the matter to police.

The Magistrate said a custodial sentence is warranted in this case.