A man found guilty of sexual assault-related offences has been sentenced to 14 years and 11 months imprisonment by the Lautoka High Court.

Nacanieli Natadra was convicted of one count each of abduction of a young person, sexual assault and rape.

It was established in court that the man abducted a 17-year-old girl while she was walking to a shop alone.

The 52-year-old accused grabbed, threw her into the vehicle and tied her up before taking the victim to a secluded place and raped her.

The Judge in sentencing said that the accused took advantage of the victim as she was in a vulnerable position.

The court also took into account that the victim is suffering from emotional and psychological trauma due to the incident and her lifestyle has changed following the attack.

In mitigation, the Judge noted that Natadra was a first-time offender and issued a non-parole period of 12 years and 11 months.