Farmer convicted

A 28-year-old farmer has been convicted of kidnapping and raping his 15-year-old cousin inside a vehicle. High Court Judge Justice Lee James Burney of Labasa ruled the man guilty on two counts of rape, as well as one count each of kidnapping, indecent assault, and sexual assault.

During the trial, the court heard that on the day of the incident, the victim was returning home from school when the accused called and picked her up from Nakula Supermarket. The accused told her that he would drop her home. However, along the way, the accused asked her if she wanted to go for a drive, but she refused. Subsequently, the accused took her to Benau, where he forced her to engage in sexual acts. He also warned her not to tell anyone, or he would harm her father.

Justice Burney stated in his ruling on February 14, "Having carefully considered all the evidence, I find the complainant to be an honest and reliable witness." He added, "I have no hesitation in accepting her evidence of what the accused did to her on the afternoon of September 14, 2023."

The judge also stated, "I find the accused not to be an honest witness. For the reasons stated above, I reject his innocent explanation that he dropped the complainant home at 4.10pm." He continued, "I am satisfied that the accused was with the complainant in his vehicle at the material time, whether it was at Benau or at the Nasiakula floodgates, and I am also satisfied of all the elements of the offences charged."

"I have no hesitation in rejecting the accused's complete denial that he committed any sexual offences on the complainant," Justice Burney concluded.