A man who’d been looking after his sickly mother has had his rape sentence reduced by one year by the Labasa High Court.

He was charged with raping a worker in his shop in Savusavu on April 11 last year.

“I also recognise that to address the rapid increase of sexual offences committed in our society that shatters the fundamental values of our inclusive society, any punishment imposed by the court for these offences should have a reprehensible deterrent effect that could also send a profoundly strong signal to discourage potential wrongdoers,” said Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage in his August 4 ruling.

“As a result of this incident she had felt broken, used, betrayed, humiliated and disgusted, where she shut herself from her relatives, friends and family since she felt that everyone was laughing at her because of what happened to her. It is also stated in this statement that she attempted to end her life as result of the impact on her of this incident.

“In mitigation, your counsel informs the court that you are the main caregiver to your sickly mother.

In recognising the importance of family relationships in our society in this regard, I reduce your sentence by one year.”

“I sentence you to seven years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of seven years.”