Man gets 16 years in prison for rape

A former primary school teacher who was convicted multiple times of raping his stepdaughter has been jailed for 16 years and 10 months.

The accused, who has more than 30 years of teaching experience and is also a church leader, was convicted in 2017 and 2018 of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault and indecent assault of his then 13-year-old stepdaughter.

“You painstakingly carried out this crime when the complainant was alone and/or unable to escape or seek help,” Judge Alsohara Rajasinghe said in his ruling last week at the High Court in Suva.

“You have used your position and authority in the family to continuously sexually abuse her in order to satisfy your objectionable sexual desires.

“You met her needs as a father, but in return you secretly requested sexual gratification from her, which I consider emotional extortion, taking advantage of her vulnerability and young age.

“You were initially pardoned and forgiven by the complainant and her mother, yet you tried to unleash your sexual assault on her when you found an opportunity.

“Sexual exploitation of children in their home environment has become a social threat.

“The social stigma of abusing children for sexual gratification must be addressed quickly and effectively.”

The man must serve fourteen years and ten months of his prison sentence before he can be eligible for parole.

Judge Rajasinghe also issued a permanent domestic violence restraining order, with conditions of no abuse and no contact.