A FORMER corporate executive has been jailed for what the court described as “disgusting behaviour” after he used his position of authority to indecently assault a young female subordinate.
Mohammed Nouzab Fareed, 58, was sentenced yesterday by acting Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola to an aggregate term of one year, three months and 22 days for two counts of indecent assault.
The former Fijian Holdings Ltd CEO will serve eight months and 22 days in prison immediately, while the remaining seven months of his sentence were suspended for three years.
The court was told Fareed abused his position in 2019 when the victim, then a 22-year-old receptionist, approached him for assistance with her employment.
Mr Waqaivolavola found that Fareed deliberately isolated the vulnerable employee in his office and used what the court described as “fake generosity” to seek intimacy from her.
The court heard that Fareed told the woman his office door was always open once she was ready to show affection.
His conduct culminated in two non-consensual incidents on June 25 and September 13, 2019.
The court heard the incidents involved Fareed rubbing his lips on the victim’s cheek, sniffing her hair, kissing her forehead, and rubbing her chest.
Mr Waqaivolavola said the victim was not believed by some of her work colleagues and felt unsupported, particularly by senior female staff who should have been more sensitive to her situation.
“Especially the female senior staff at work that should have been more sensitive and understanding,” he said.
“How alone she must have felt? Then the anxiety and trauma of reliving that again when reporting and testifying in court. You caused that emotional harm,” Mr Waqaivolavola said while addressing Fareed.
The magistrate said an audio recording of one of the incidents corroborated what he described as Fareed’s “disgusting behaviour”.
He also rejected the defence submissions for either a non-conviction or a fully suspended sentence, stressing that people in senior positions who abuse their authority must face meaningful punishment.
“The prevalence of sexual offences in our community, especially by males in positions of authority, whether at home or in the workplace, is alarming.
“Entering a conviction against you is out of the question and there exists no special or extenuating circumstance.”
The court found that an immediate custodial sentence was necessary to denounce Fareed’s conduct and deter others from abusing positions of power, while the suspended portion would provide an opportunity for rehabilitation.
Fareed has 30 days to appeal the sentence.
