Man charged with allegedly sexually assaulting and wounding his 3-year-old stepdaughter who is a special needs child

A 25-year-old man will front court today for allegedly sexually assaulting and unlawfully wounding his 3-year-old stepdaughter, who is a special needs child.

The incidents allegedly occurred towards the end of 2023 in Navua.

Police say the accused is alleged to have slapped the victim when she refused to eat, burnt her legs with Fijian tobacco and sexually assaulted her.

The matter was reported by a relative when he noticed the bruises and burnt marks, and with the assistance of officers from the Social Welfare Department, the child was removed from the mother’s custody and handed over to the care of a relative.

Police say the accused has been charged with one count of rape and one count of unlawful wounding and will appear in the Navua Magistrates Court today.