A 58-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by the High Court of Fiji for the “incestuous and heinous” rape of his 13-year-old niece.
He was convicted of one count of rape following a trial last month. The court heard that in May 2024, the victim, a Year 8 student, had gone to a farm behind her home in Nakasi to help her uncle with weeding and planting.
The prosecution established the man led the girl to a secluded area under a large tree. When the victim questioned their presence there, he produced a cane knife and ordered her to remain quiet.
Despite the girl’s repeated pleas and resistance, he forced her to the ground and assaulted her. He later threatened her with “consequences” if she spoke of the incident.
The crime remained hidden until July 2024, when the victim confided in a classmate at school. The classmate alerted a teacher, leading to a police investigation and subsequent arrest.
In handing down the sentence on March 13, Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu highlighted the gross breach of trust, noting that the victim lived in the same home and was cared for by him and his wife. The court emphasized that the home was supposed to be a “safe haven” but instead became a place of trauma.
“This rape has undoubtedly strained family relationships and caused lasting psychological trauma,” the judge noted, setting a non-parole period of 12 years. The sentence serves as a stern denunciation of crimes against children in Fiji.
