A DRUNKARD convicted of raping his three-year-old cousin will be sentenced today.

He was convicted last week by Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull on a count of rape which occurred in Lau on July 21 last year.

The convicted rapist had carried her to his home without asking her mother’s permission. He then placed her on his bed and committed the act.

He admitted taking the child to his house but denied committing the offence.

According to the judgment, the accused had a close relationship with the little girl and her siblings as he would look after them when they were alone.

“If (the accused) did not do anything wrong to the complainant, there would be no reason for him to leave abruptly in such a manner,” Justice Bull said in her ruling.

“The failure to respond to the child’s mother when she said he had been looking for her earlier supports the view that it was because he was doing something that was not right to the child.

“I reject as untrue his denial of the allegations.

“The complainant’s uncontradicted evidence is that she was awake and did not go to sleep. She was taken by the accused, and it was him that (raped her).