Rapists await fate
Four men convicted of raping a seven-year-old boy on different occasions on a maritime province in 2018 have been convicted by the High Court in Suva. The accused persons, who were juveniles when the incidents occurred, but are now aged between 20 and 23, have been found guilty respectively of seven counts of rape committed on unknown dates between January 1 and December 31, 2018. The court heard that the first accused would commit the acts in a pigsty and in front of the church while the second accused raped the boy on a farm on one occasion. The last two accused persons respectively raped the victim in a classroom. The child did not inform anyone of the incident because the accused persons told him not to. He only realised the acts were wrong when he learnt about “bad touch” and “good touch” in school. Court records show the victim knew the accused persons as cousins and neighbours in the village. After assessing the evidence before the court, Justice Pita Balenaivalu ruled the prosecution, led by Joshua Singh, had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the men were guilty of the offences. They are out on bail and will reappear for sentence hearing on July 11.
Chandra elects Magistrate’s Court trial for forgery charge
A senior administrative officer at the Ministry of Lands has opted to have his charge heard in the Suva Magistrate’s Court. Varoon Chandra confirmed his position before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne when the matter was called yesterday. FICAC has charged Mr Chandra with a count of using a forged document and obtaining a financial advantage. He is alleged to have used a false Fiji National University certificate and academic transcript to obtain the position of Acting Senior Administrative Officer (Asset/Procurement) with the ministry. The alleged incident occurred on or about January 16, 2018. Mr Chandra is also alleged to have received an extra salary amounting to $7011.51 and, as a result, obtained a financial advantage for himself from the ministry. Senior State lawyer Arieta Vaganalau also served the second phase of disclosures. Mr Chandra’s plea has been deferred. His bail was extended, and the case adjourned to July 22.
Court jails man for 9 years for rape of half sister
A teenager convicted of raping his eight-year-old half-sister while she was asleep at Nadonumai in Lami in 2023 has been jailed for nine years. The 19-year-old, an occasional street dweller, was found guilty by the High Court in Suva of a count of sexual assault and rape committed between June 2 and 3, 2023. Court records show the victim was sleeping at night when the unemployed teenager raped and sexually assaulted her in her father’s home. He was 17 at that time. A formal complaint was lodged at the Lami Police Station. Passing sentence, Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu said the young man had acted opportunistically and atrociously when he committed the act on his sleeping half-sister. “This is an incestuous and heinous rape of a vulnerable eight-year-old and a primary school student, and also a blatant betrayal of trust by the accused who is the complainant’s half-brother, deemed and obliged to uphold good morals and values, protect and prevent vulnerable young girls from being raped and sexually abused,” stated Justice Bulamainaivalu on July 7. “The complainant was also at risk of being infected with sexually transmitted infections including HIV when raped by the accused.” A permanent domestic violence restraining order has also been imposed on the accused. The man must serve eight years and one month before he is eligible for parole.
