Ratabacaca jailed for 2 years

Ratabacaca jailed for 2 years

By fijivillage.com
14/11/2012
All Nations Christian Fellowship leader Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca has been sentenced to two years imprisonment and will not be eligible for parole until he has served a minimum term of 15 months in prison.

While sentencing Reverend Ratabacaca early this morning, Justice Paul Madigan said that despite Ratabacaca’s powerful mitigation, the breach of trust and absence of remorse prevents the court from alleviating the burden of an immediate custodial sentence.

Justice Madigan then went through the facts of the case after Ratabacaca was found guilty of sexual assault.

He said in this case, the victim was particularly vulnerable being mentally unstable after the birth of her fourth child and Ratabacaca had gone to some lengths to engineer her presence with him alone in the steam room in the massage parlor.

The judge said on the 22nd of June last year, Reverend Ratabacaca was with the woman who had approached him for help with her problems of anxiety and depression.

According to the court, the pastor accompanied the victim into the steam bath, removed the victim’s towel and sexually assaulted her.

Justice Madigan said the woman did not like this but was subjugated by the authority of Ratabacaca’s pastoral office.

The judge said in treating the woman in this manner, Ratabacaca was in gross breach of trust.

He said the woman trusted him as a pastor and counselor to help alleviate her post natal symptoms.

Justice Madigan said Ratabacaca abused the woman and her husband’s faith in him.

The judge then said that there was no reason either medically or otherwise that would suggest that semi-naked steam treatment would assist the victim in her fragile mental condition.

Justice Madigan also highlighted that Ratabacaca’s exemplary record in the military for 18 years and then leading a church since 1997 counts for nothing if a follower’s trust is betrayed and she is sexually abused.

Ratabacaca was escorted by police officers in a waiting vehicle after the sentence.

He was taken to the Suva Corrections Centre.


Story by:
Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima
FEATURE NEWS
Bau delegation presents traditional gifts to Tui Nayau ahead of installation as Tui Lau
In recognition of the strong ties between Lau and the chiefly island of Bau, the Bauan delegation has presented its tradition gift to the Tui Nayau, R...
8 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Māori and Vuanirewa chiefly families reconnect through Tui Lau installation
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, and her family have been looking forward to witnessing the installation of the Sau kei ...
5 hours ago

Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrate 50th anniversary
It was a day of celebration as the staff of Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrated the hospital's 50th anniversary with the daughter of the late ...
6 hours ago

Positive signs for Fiji as tariff talks continue ahead of extended August 1 deadline
As U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for increased tariffs has been extended, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman ...
7 hours ago

FCCC warns of AI-generated deepfake scam using fake news video and investment claims
People are being alerted to a highly deceptive scam video currently circulating online which is a deepfake, generated using artificial intelligence ...
8 hours ago

Radrodro urges students to research TSLS programs and choose career paths Fiji needs
Students should also know and do research about programs in the TSLS and not follow their friends while enrolling in courses that they regret ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
14 hours ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
3 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
5 days ago

TOP