A 46-year old man who raped his 12-year old niece earlier this year in the Northern division has been sentenced to 12-years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape.

The court heard that the victim came to stay with the accused after she was raped by her previous guardian, her maternal grandfather.

The grandfather is serving his sentence.

High court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar said that the first incident happened on the evening of 25th February and on the night of 5th March.

Justice Goundar said that at the time of the offending the accused was separated from his wife and he was looking after his two children aged 14 years and 15 years.

The man’s lawyer emphasized a great deal on his family circumstances as a mitigating factor however Justice Goundar said that he should have thought of his elderly mother and children before sexually abusing a young girl under his care.

Justice Goundar highlighted that the accused claimed that he was seduced by the child victim to have sex with her and that she had even proposed to marry him after completing high school.

The man will have to serve 10 year sentence before being eligible for parole.
A permanent domestic violence restraining order has also been issued.