A 30-year-old man from Sigatoka has been sentenced to 15 years and 4 months in prison for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2020.
The court was told that on October 22 2020, Vonivate Vitukutuku dragged the girl who was intoxicated and all the while struggling into the nearby bushes. After attempting to run away, Vitukutuku hit the girl on the face with a piece of wood rendering her unconscious and raped her.
The court heard that the rape has left the victim traumatised to this day.
In sentencing, Judge Riyaz Hamza told Vitukutuku’s intentions were deliberate.
“You took advantage of the complainant’s vulnerability, helplessness and naivety.”
“You have exposed the innocent mind of a child to sexual activity at a tender age, thereby robbing her of her innocence.”
Judge Hamza initially sentenced Vitukutuku to 17 years behind bars. However, after considering mitigating factors and time already spent in remand, it was reduced to 15 years and 4 months with a non-parole period of 12 years and 4 months.
