Taniela Likio 39, of Manuka was sentenced to seven years imprisonment this morning by Chief Justice Anthony Ford for the crimes of rape, indecent assault and housebreaking.

Taniela was found guilty on the three charges in December 18, 2006 but Chief Justice Ford adjourned his decision to today February 23.

Chief Justice Ford told the court this morning that the rape victim was a 15-year-old girl who suffered from a mild physical disability that affected her speech and balance, and on April 27, 2005 the day of the incident the victim was at home alone babysitting a one-year-old baby at the village of Navutoka, while both her parents were away from home.

He said that when Taniela went to the victim's house that day, he knew she was home alone because the family's shop in front of their house was closed, nevertheless he called to the victim and spoke to her in the window to confirm if she was indeed alone, and quite innocently she answered him that she was alone with the baby.

Taniela who had previously served a two year prison sentence after being convicted for two indecent assault charges and one assault charge in 2002, then walked away to a cemetery next door, returned a short time afterwards wearing a cover over his head and broke into the victim's house, where he threatened her with a knife, indecently assaulted and raped her. "This was a cowardly and despicable act on a vulnerable young girl who could not defend herself", said Chief Justice Ford.

Taniela, who wore a shell necklace tightly around his neck sat quietly and was insensitive to what the judge was saying.

Chief Justice Ford told Taniela that rape is a despicable act that will have a long lasting effect on the victim's life and "what is troubling to the court is that you continue to be in a state of denial as you claim to be innocent and have been wrongly convicted and from the probation report you have also blamed your counsel for not carrying out your case properly and added that the police lied while giving evidence, that type of attitude will not help you with your sentencing because you show no remorse whatsoever in what you did.

"There are many aggravating factors against you which included the fact that the young girl was mildly disabled and you forced and threatened her with a knife, and you also have a previous conviction for indecent assaults."

Chief Justice Ford sentenced Taniela seven years imprisonment for rape, three years for indecent assault and three years for housebreaking, and ordered that the sentences are to be served concurrently for a total of seven years imprisonment.

"I do not think any of the sentences should be suspended because the charge of rape is very serious and needs punishment to send out a clear message that rape and indecent assault will not be tolerated so I decline to suspend any of the sentence imposed", Chief Justice Ford stated.

The legal counsel for the accused was Mana Kaufusi, and Sione Sisifa was for the Crown.