A 54-year-old man convicted of raping his nine-year-old grandniece in 2022 had his sentencing hearing deferred to later this week.
The man appeared this morning in Suva for a hearing on his sentence, but his lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa from the Legal Aid Commission sought for more time.
The state had initially charged the man with two counts of rape, however, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere has acquitted the man of one count allegedly committed between February 1 and 28, 2022.
The victim, now 11 years old, alleged the man had grabbed her while she was retrieving her shoes and committed the act.
Justice Tuiqereqere found the granduncle guilty of raping the girl on August 28 in a bedroom after she just returned from school.
Lawyer Shaheen Bibi from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions appeared for the state.
The rapist had his bail extended and case adjourned to March 21.
