A taxidriver has been jailed for seven years and 10 months for raping his passenger after a drinking party at Natadola in Nadi in February 2021.
Mohammed Haashmi was 23 at the time and looked after his elderly and sickly parents.
He was their only child. In his November 16 ruling Justice Sunil Sharma told Haashmi that he had committed a serious offence against the victim who trusted him.
“I am sure it will be difficult for the victim to forget what you had done to her.
Due to your lust, you did not care about the consequences of your actions,” Justice Sharma said.
“As a public service provider you should have known better, instead of protecting the victim you violated her.
“You have not only brought shame on yourself but also to all the hardworking public service vehicle licence holders, which demands impeccable and flawless behaviour at all times.”
Justice Sharma said the court would be failing in its duty if a long-term deterrent custodial sentence was not imposed.
Haashmi will be eligible for parole after serving seven years and two months.
