A FATHER-of-four was recently convicted of raping his then 10-year-old sister-in-law in Tailevu.
The man, who was married for 13 years, was found guilty of raping the complainant on an unknown date between April 11 and December 16 in 2022.
The 38-year-old also raped the victim on May 29, 2023.
On one occasion, he called her into the prayer room where he raped her.
The man raped her a second time in the same room while his children were watching a movie in the living room. The victim did not inform the man’s wife of the incidents because the couple would always fight.
The matter was brought to light after she cried to her friends, telling them of what the accused had done to her.
“(The complainant) is a credible and reliable witness,” Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu ruled in the High Court in Suva.
“(She) could tell the difference between a truth (and) a lie and remained calm and composed while testifying. Her demeanour is consistent with the finding of enhancing her credibility and reliability as a witness, and I therefore, attach immense weight to her testimony.”
Justice Bulamainaivalu, however, ruled the testimony of the accused was not credible because as the testimonies of the victim and other witnesses outweighed his.
Sentencing hearing will commence on April 17.
