A 56-year-old man who sexually assaulted and raped his eight-year-old niece in Nadi in 2022 has been jailed for a minimum of 13 years.
The man, a musician initially pleaded not guilty to both counts when the matter was called in the Lautoka High Court on February 7 last year. He changed his plea on the day of the trial – pleading guilty for both offences that took place between 1 April 2022 and 30 November 2022.
The abuse came to light when the year three student informed her teacher about what had happened. The child’s medical examination corroborated her complaint, revealing the psychological and emotional harm she suffered as a result of the trauma. She now fears interacting with any male in the absence of her mother and carries a deep sense of shame.
In sentencing him, Justice Sunil Sharma said offenders especially those who harm children, should be dealt with severely.
“Rape of a child is one of the most serious forms of sexual violence,” he stated. “Children are entitled to live their lives free from any form of physical or emotional abuse and offenders of such crime should not expect any mercy from this court.”
