A 61- year- old man convicted of raping a ten-year-old girl has been sentenced 15-years and six -month’s imprisonment by the Suva High court.

The court heard that in February this year, the victim who was the accused’s neighbor had gone to his house to get a pot.

The accused’s wife was helping the victim’s mother to make food for prayers and sent the 10-year-old-girl to get a pot from her place.

The victim and her brother went to the accused’s place who at the time was ironing his clothes.

He told the two to wait and while waiting they started to play hide and seek.

The victim went under his bed.

The accused then called the complainant out and committed the heinous offence.

The High court Judge while sentencing the accused said he used the vulnerability of the child to fulfil his disgraceful sexual desire.

The court heard that following the incident the victim has become a withdrawn, scared and paranoid child from a fun, active and happy girl.

The victim and her family had to relocate to a new place after the incident.

A non-parole period of 13 years and six months has been set.