The High Court in Suva has convicted a 25-year-old man of raping a under aged boy in 2023.
Justice Usaia Ratuvili found the man guilty of penetrating the child, who was under the age of 13, at a plantation in Suva. According to the judgment delivered yesterday, the victim and the man were known to each other and resided in the same neighbourhood.
The man completely denied the allegations, claiming he was at a different location at the time of the offence.
However, Justice Ratuvili stated that during the trial, the victim was very clear about what had occurred and noted that the medical evidence corroborated his testimony.
Justice Ratuvili ruled that both the direct and circumstantial evidence pointed exclusively to the man.
Meanwhile, the man was acquitted of one count of indecently annoying a person.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 16.
