A 36-year old man has been jailed for nine months for indecently assaulting a nine-year old girl three times between the year 2004 to 2010.
The man appeared at the Magistrate Court in Lautoka last Friday.
The court heard that the man, who appeared before Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena was living with the victim and her family when the incident occurred.
The court heard that in April, 2004, the man indecently touched the girl who was nine back then while she was sleeping.
On the second occasion in April, 2010, the accused hugged the victim from the back while in June 2010, he again indecently assaulted her while she was asleep.
While giving her evidence in court, the victim said she did not report the matter to police because she thought no one would believe her.
The victim was 16 years old when she appeared in court in May 2011.
Magistrate Wimalasena said the accused had undoubtedly committed pervert acts which would be looked at in abhorrence by any civilised society.
He said the man had breached the trust of the victim and he took advantage of his position as a close relative of the family.
For the three counts of indecent assault, Magistrate Wimalasena sentenced the man to 18 months imprisonment.
He said the man would serve nine months concurrently in prison while the balance of his sentence be suspended for five years.
The accused has 28 days to appeal his sentence.