A pastor in jail for sexually assaulting 12 boys aged nine to 16 wants legal representation from the Legal Aid Commission.
The 43-year-old is appealing his sentence and conviction imposed by Magistrate Seini Puamau at the Suva Magistrate’s Court last year.
Ms Puamau had sentenced the pastor to serve seven of a nine-year and-six-month jail term before he could be considered for parole.
The man was convicted of four counts of indecent assault, three of indecently insulting a person, two of sexual assault, two of assault with intent to rape, one of sexual assault, and one of attempted sexual assault.
The court had found that he engaged in multiple sex crime spree against children in a village that he was responsible for as a pastor.
Justice Usaia Ratuvili, who is presiding over this appeal, will recall the case next month for Legal Aid to determine whether it is on board and to issue directions on the time-tabling of submissions.
The man’s production order has been extended and the case adjourned to November 14.
