A HIGH Court judge in Labasa has warned a youth that using a caneknife handle to poke a female classmate between her legs was totally unacceptable before placing him under community supervision.
The warning was issued by Justice Lee James Burney to an 18-year-old who appeared for sentencing after being acquitted of rape but convicted of the lesser offence of indecent assault.
The court found that on February 22, 2024, the teenager deliberately poked his schoolmate while they were returning garden tools after an agricultural practical lesson.
Both individuals were 16 years old at the time of the incident.
Justice Burney told the youth that it was very important to learn his lesson at a young age, warning him that failing to do so could risk throwing away his promising future.
A thorough pre-sentence report revealed that the teenager lives with his parents in a supportive environment, enjoys school, and aspires to become a boat captain.
