A 41-year-old Savusavu man has been sentenced to 13-years imprisonment for raping his seven-year-old niece on several occasions.

The incident happened between 1st December 2013 to 31st May this year.

The Labasa High Court heard that the accused pleaded guilty on the rape charges on his free will.

It was also heard that the child was mentally unwell at the time of the incident.

Judge Justice Salesi Temo while sentencing the accused said by offending against the child, the man showed utter disregard to her right as a human being and her right to personal dignity.

The man has a non-parole period of 12-years imprisonment.