A lawyer representing a pastor jailed for sexually assaulting 12 boys aged nine to 16 has sought more time to file amended grounds of appeal.
This was the position taken by his lawyer, Tobia Ravuniwa from the Legal Aid Commission, when the matter was called before Justice Usaia Ratuvili in the High Court in Suva last week.
Hezekiah Nofaga and Katarina Dugan appeared for the prosecution
The 43-year-old is appealing both his conviction and sentence imposed last year by Magistrate Seini Puamau.
Ms Puamau sentenced him to nine years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of seven years.
He was convicted of four counts of indecent assault, three of indecently insulting a person, two of sexual assault with intent to rape, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted sexual assault.
The magistrate found that the pastor carried out a “multiple sex crime spree” against children in a village he was responsible for as a pastor.
Justice Ratuvili will recall the case next month to check the amended grounds and issue directions on the timetable for submissions.
The man’s production order has been extended and the case adjourned to December 1.
