15 years for rapist – The Fiji Times

A taxi driver who raped a Grade 7 student three times in the back seat of his taxi in August 2020 has been sentenced to 15 years and nine months in prison by the High Court in Lautoka.

The court heard that the victim was the driver’s neighbour and that he took her and his daughter to school in his taxi but did not drop the victim off.

“The victim is related to you on her father’s side and calls you ‘Anna’, which means brother,” said acting Puisne Judge Sekonaia Vodokisolomone.

“You abused that trust by instead of protecting the victim and ensuring her safety while transporting her to school, you committed the most horrific act any reasonable person could commit by sexually abusing the victim on three separate occasions.

“There was a big age difference between you and the victim. The victim was 12 years old while you were 42.

“You took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability, helplessness and naivety.

“You have exposed the innocent mind of a child to sexual activity at such a young age, thereby robbing the victim of her innocence.”

Judge Vodokisolomone set the minimum period for probation at 13 years and nine months.