A 44-year-old mother of three convicted of raping her female flatmate after a night out four years ago has been sentenced to more than seven years behind bars.
The incident happened in February 2018 in the West at a flat the 44-year-old, and the victim shared with another woman, who was sleeping at the time.
Court documents showed that the 44-year-old ignored the victim’s pleas to stop, telling her “not to make any noise to wake” their flatmate.
In handing down the sentence at the Lautoka High Court this week, Justice Sunil Sharma noted the victim’s impact statement in which she stated that the incident affected her mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She felt worthless, disgusted, and ashamed.
Justice Sharma told the woman that her actions towards the victim were self-centered.
“She had trusted you and at your request did not hesitate for you to sleep with her. I am sure it was difficult for her to forget what you had done to her. The court will be failing in its duty if a long-term deterrent custodial sentence was not imposed,” Justice Sharma said.
The woman will not be eligible for parole until she has served seven years.
