A 35-year-old man, anonymised as XY to protect his victim, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for a series of “abhorrent” sexual offences against his 10-year-old biological daughter.
In a sentencing decision handed down in the High Court at Labasa on 19 November 2025, Justice Lee Burney condemned the man’s actions as a “gross breach of that relationship of trust” and of the “utmost gravity.”
The court heard that the father committed five counts of serious sexual offending against his daughter, referred to as CC, on two separate dates in August 2023. The acts included indecent assault and sexual assault, with the most serious count involving the licking of the child’s vagina.
The judge noted that while deterrence is a key sentencing aim, he was doubtful that harsher penalties alone would stop such crimes. Instead, he emphasized the court’s role in denouncing the acts and shaping societal values.
“By denouncing sexual offending against children in the strongest terms, sentencing courts help to shape societal values,” Justice Burney stated.
“Education through denunciation reinforces law-abiding and decent citizens’ rejection of sexual abuse of children.”
For the most severe count, the judge imposed the maximum 14-year sentence, noting such acts are often charged as rape. After adjusting for the totality of the offending, the final head sentence was set at 21 years’ imprisonment.
The court fixed a non-parole period of 13 years and 2 months, noting the offender should be given an opportunity for rehabilitation. A Permanent Domestic Violence Restraining Order was also issued for the lifelong protection of the victim.
