Court convicts man of raping 12-year-old grandniece
A 45-year-old man has been convicted of digitally raping and sexually assaulting his 12-year-old grandniece between February 2024 and March this year. The victim recounted in court how the man took her into the bedroom and committing the offence while they were alone at home. She tried shouting but her mouth was covered by the man, and she was unable to physically resist him due to his size. The incident ended when her brother returned home. She told him about the incident but he did not believe her. Approximately a month after the first incident, the victim awoke when the man was sexually assaulting her. Her grandfather was nearby but did nothing, even when she told him about the man’s actions. The victim’s neighbour testified that on March 3 she heard the victim crying, who subsequently disclosed what the man did to her. The neighbour then confronted the victim’s grandfather, insisting that the man be evicted from the house. Over the course of several days, the man initially agreed but later refused to leave without a court order, leading the neighbour to report the incident to the police, after which he was removed from the premises. On September 19, Justice Daniel Goundar ruled that the delayed disclosure of the incident was due to her fear of being harmed and disbelief from family members. According to him, the prosecution had proved both charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Drug accused in court
Six men accused of transporting 26.03 kilograms of marijuana bound for Suva and intercepted by police in Kadavu will take their plea next month. Letia Tokoni, Saimoni Mule, Sakiusa Timi, Apisai Daveta, Tevita Vuki and Timoci Lolohea made their first appearance before Magistrate Sofina Ali at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The men are jointly charged with a count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs that allegedly occurred last week. Mr Lolohea also faces an additional charge of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs. The men were remanded in custody and the case adjourned to October 13.
