A 54-year-old watchman in Suva has been convicted of the rape of a four-year-old girl on March 2 this year.
Court records showed that the building the man was a security officer for was also used as a church attended by the victim and her family.
On the day of the incident, the victim and her family attended a church service between 1pm and 3pm.
In her testimony, the little girl said the security guard had called her to the basement of the building where he committed the act.
Her 12-year-old sibling also testified that when the church services ended at 3pm, her parents noticed that her sister was missing.
While searching the building, she found her sister’s shoes in the basement, where she witnessed the incident.
Despite calling out, the man continued the sexual act, so she ran up the stairs and alerted her mother.
Her parents then confronted the man, who denied the allegations and attempted to walk away. He also smelled heavily of liquor. The girl’s father then escorted the man to the Totogo Police Station.
Justice Daniel Goundar ruled that although the complainant’s testimony was unsworn, she was reminded to tell the truth.
“Despite her tender age, she gave a clear and consistent account of the accused (digital penetration),” stated Justice Goundar on August 15 at the High Court in Suva.
“The accused’s claim that the four-year-old fabricated the allegation after being denied money is implausible and lacks credibility.”
The man’s sentencing hearing will be held today.