THE High Court in Suva has convicted a pastor on the basis that he made false and fraudulent representations for the nature and purpose of his acts.
Iowane Vakadranu was found guilty and convicted of four counts of rape by Justice Vinsent Perera at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
The incidents took place in Labasa and Tailevu between 2012 and 2015.
Vakadranu, who is the founder of the Back to Eden Ministry, used to run a home school operated by the church.
It was here that he raped two female youths after a one-on-one interview with them.
The first complainant, in her evidence, informed the court that she had consented to engaging sexually with Vakadranu while the second complainant denied giving consent.
Both complainants said they believed in Vakadranu and his teachings that they would not get sick, sin or die until the return of the Lord.
In his evidence, Vakadranu said he performed the acts on the two complainants to educate them on adultery and its taste before they were sent out on their mission to preach the gospel.
In his judgement, Justice Perera said Vakadranu made a false representation of him to both complainants by telling them that he was allowed to commit adultery on them because they could not go and preach about something they had never experienced.
He said Vakadranu said in his evidence that he committed the sexual acts on the complainants and it would end there as they would then be sent on their mission.
However, Justice Perera questioned Vakadranu why he kept having sexual intercourse with the first complainant after the first offence and did not send her on any mission.
He said Vakadranu deceived and exercised his authority over the complainants to engage in such acts.
Justice Perera was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew the second complainant had not consented but respected him as her pastor, which was why she did not scream for help when she was raped by the accused.
The matter has been adjourned to Thursday for mitigation and sentencing.
