A 22 year old man from Labasa has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a mentally challenged child.

The victim was 14 at the time. The court established she was also mentally challenged and the perpetrator took advantage of her.

The incident occurred in April last year. The victim was playing with her friend when the man approached her.

He deceived the girl by giving her his mobile phone to play with and then took her to a vacant home where he raped her.

In sentencing, Judge Justice Salesi Temo said he has violated the girl’s dignity and has no sympathy for the fact she was vulnerable.

He will be eligible for parole after seven years.