The High Court in Lautoka yesterday sentenced a juvenile who was convicted of raping and sexual assaulting an eight-year-old girl between April and May last year to 22-months prison term suspended for five years.
While delivering sentence Justice Chamath Morais said Section 30 (2) and (3) of the Juvenile Act restrict the court to a maximum term of two years imprisonment for a juvenile offender.
“Therefore, the court in sentencing juvenile offender fro crimes of this nature, have to consider the seriousness of the offences of this nature as well as the purpose of the legislature not to have juvenile imprisoned for more than two years,” Justice Morais said.
Justice Morais took into consideration the mitigating factors in favour of the juvenile as well as the aggravating factors.
