A Fijian national attempted to flee the country after a horror sex attack on a disabled woman described by a judge as “every woman’s worst nightmare”.
Samuela Turaganivalu, 34, was jailed for more than 16 years in the County Court on Tuesday for breaking into a stranger’s home and raping her.
Handing down the sentence, Judge Gerard Mullaly described Turaganivalu’s actions in the early hours of the morning on November 17, 2024, as “heinous, frightening behaviour”.
“This is every woman’s nightmare,” the judge said.
“That someone with criminal, violent intent breaks into their house, overpowering them and raping them.”
Turaganivalu, the court was told, had arrived in Australia on an employment program two years earlier to work on farms and in factories.
Judge Mullaly said shortly after midnight on November 17, Turaganivalu met up with a woman he was dating for drinks at a hotel before the woman left without him.
In the hours that followed, Turaganivalu was “constantly” trying to get in contact with the woman via phone and showed up at a home he wrongly believed she was inside of.
After failing to gain entry, he tore the side mirrors off a car before climbing over the back fence of a neighbouring home and entering through an unlocked door.
Inside, Judge Mullaly said, Turaganivalu woke and “brutally attacked” his victim, punching her in the face multiple times.
The “powerful, large man” then anally raped her before threatening he would come back and kill her if she called the police.
The judge said it was indicative of the “utter terror” the victim was in that she complied and did not call police but alerted a friend who then called triple-0.
Turaganivalu was initially only identified as the perpetrator of the damage to the car and was arrested the following day, interviewed and released from custody.
On November 19, he was arrested at Melbourne airport with a one-way ticket to Fiji.
The convicted rapist was found guilty in June following a jury trial in which he denied the rape occurred but admitted he assaulted the woman.
“Plainly, the jury rejected your account,” Judge Mullaly said.
The court was told Turaganivalu had no prior convictions in Australia or Fiji, was raised in a loving family and was a talented rugby player.
Judge Mullaly said the woman had physical and intellectual disabilities, and Turaganivalu’s crimes had stolen her independence and confidence.
“I wish I could have my old life back, but I cannot,” the woman said.
She told the court she had to give up a job she loved because she was now “too frightened to come home in the dark”.
Her parents said they were proud of her “hard won and deeply cherished” independence, but Turaganivalu’s actions had “changed her life forever”.
“They spent a lifetime building their daughter’s independence only for you Mr Turaganivalu to dismantle their efforts in one night,” Judge Mullaly said.
“Her parents have had to assist her more that previously because she now lacks confidence.
“You, of course, are the only one to blame for that.”
Turaganivalu was sentenced to 16 years and four months, with a non-parole period of 12 years and will “almost certainly” be deported following the end of his jail term, the court was told.
He did not visibly react as the sentence was handed down.
