A 73 year old electrician convicted of performing sexual acts and taking nude photos of a then-class 8 student in a vehicle in Navua will be sentenced next month.
The case was called on June 17 for sentencing hearing before Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
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 the 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, denies ever committing the sexual acts and taking the photographs.
The accused was initially charged with four counts of rape and a count each of sexual assault and pornographic activities involving juveniles.
On June 5, Justice Ratuvili 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 convicted rapist will be sentenced on July 1.
