25-year-old rapist jailed [1]
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 18:22
Huatolitoli Prison, Tonga.
'Ikani Pailate (25) has been jailed for raping a 38-year-old woman in Tongatapu last year.
Hon Mr Justice Cato sentenced the accused to three-years nine-months imprisonment, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.
The serious offence occurred during a drink-up at a tax allotment on October 20, 2019.
Of the sentence imposed, the final 15-months was suspended on conditions.
The Crown said, the judge set a starting point of six-years imprisonment but entered reductions due to the accused early guilty plea, remorse and having no previous conviction.
The sentence was backdated to when he was first detained in police custody.
Meanwhile, that when released from prison, the accused must not to commit any offences punishable by imprisonment, is placed on probation and must live where directed by the probation officer.
He is also not to drink alcohol during suspension and must undertake a drug and alcohol awareness program.
The court supressed the publication of the victim's identity and evidence.
From the Courts [7]