Court

High court Judge calls rapist a “Coward”

February 20, 2019 7:10 am

“You are a coward if you cannot take responsibility for your actions.”

These harsh comments were made by Suva High Court Judge Salesi Temo against convicted criminal Niko Levula.

Levula escaped from Police custody yesterday morning when he was due for sentencing before Justice Temo.

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Levula was convicted of one count each of burglary, rape, sexual assault, and aggravated robbery.

The 26-year-old broke into a 39-year-old woman’s house in 2017, raped her and stole some items.

Justice Temo called Levula out for his conduct, stating that he must take responsibility for his actions because he caused harm in the community.

The Judge added that Levula was an embarrassment to his family, community, village, and the Vanua for not standing up to his heinous crimes.

Justice Temo said if a man cannot take action for his crimes then he has no business committing a crime.

The Judge also highlighted that Levula escaped because someone was sleeping on the job.

Levula has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in absentia with a non-parole sentence of 19 years.