The High Court in Suva has convicted a 73-year-old electrician for performing sexual acts and taking nude photos of a then Class 8 student in a vehicle in Navua.
The now 17-year-old victim knew the accused as someone who repaired electrical appliances and that he’d also been in her home.
Court records show the victim boarded a vehicle driven by the accused while she was waiting at a bus stop.
When they reached a village, the accused took her measurements with a tape before taking nude photographs and performing sexual acts on her.
She said she followed his orders because she was scared of him. She later informed her mother of the incident on October 16, 2023.
The accused, however, denied her claims.
The accused was initially charged with four counts of rape and a count each of sexual assault and pornographic activities involving juveniles.
High Court judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili on June 5 acquitted the accused of two counts of rape because the state failed to provide evidence in trial.
He was convicted of the remaining two counts of rape and a count of pornographic activities involving juveniles. He was also acquitted of a count of sexual assault but convicted on a lesser charge of indecent assault.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for today.
