Nine years’ jail for rapist during COVID-19 lockdown

A man has been sentenced to 9 years and 16 days in prison for raping a child under the age of 13 in Teouma Dark Bush, Efate, during the COVID-19 lockdown. This sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the impact it had on the young victim.

The Supreme Court heard that in March 2022, Jimmy Nampas' daughter visited the victim and invited her to their house to prepare and cook simboro. Nampas, who was at home at the time, sent his daughter away to a distant store, leaving the victim behind. This premeditated act set the stage for the subsequent crime.

He then led the victim into a traditional house, claiming he would give her some money, which he did not. Following this false pretense, he laid a mat on the floor and sexually assaulted her twice. The court found his actions to be manipulative and exploitative.

The court learned that the victim experienced pain and was terrified by his actions. She went straight to her room crying upon returning home, feeling immense distress. Afterwards, she isolated herself in her room for several days, deeply traumatized by the assault.

The maximum penalty for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under 13 is life imprisonment. Considering the various aggravating circumstances, Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek sentenced Nampas to 10 years in prison, acknowledging the gravity of the offense.

The defendant had previously been convicted of theft and threatening language, and fined 4000 vatu in the Magistrate's Court. He pleaded not guilty to both charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, but the court found him guilty. The sentencing was handed down in December, concluding the legal proceedings.

The Chief Justice reduced the sentence by two months due to delays in the case's prosecution, and further reduced it by five months and 14 days for time already served in custody. Nampas is married with seven children and six grandchildren, a detail that does not diminish the severity of his crime.

He was given 14 days to appeal the sentence. This provides him with the opportunity to challenge the court's decision if he chooses to do so.