Litia Cava 
A man has been sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment by the Lautoka High Court after being found guilty of rape.
The conviction followed a contested trial over an incident in September 2023 in Nadi.
The court heard the victim, a married woman and relative of the offender had travelled from Suva to spend the weekend celebrating her graduation. After a night of drinking and socialising, she went to sleep in a guest room at the rapist’s home.
While she was asleep, the man entered the room and sexually assaulted her without consent. She woke during the attack and confronted him. The matter was later reported to police after she returned home.
In sentencing, the court stressed that rape is a serious offence driven by power and control, and that alcohol or socialising can never be interpreted as consent.
The judge highlighted several aggravating factors including that the victim was intoxicated and asleep and that the offence took place within a family setting, involving a significant breach of trust.
The court also noted the lasting emotional impact on the victim.
While the offender had no prior convictions and personal circumstances were considered, these were given limited weight.
A starting point of seven years’ imprisonment was adopted, with an additional two years added for aggravating factors. A one-year reduction was then applied for mitigating factors including time already spent in custody.
The final sentence is eight years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of seven years.
The court states the sentence aims to reflect the seriousness of the offence, deter similar conduct and reinforce community condemnation of sexual violence.
