A 62-year-old repeat sexual offender was sentenced to eight-years and nine-months imprisonment for rape and other counts of carnal knowledge of a young person.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced the defendant (referred to as Mr Q) on April 22, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. He also prohibited the publication of any details that could identify the victim, made under s.119. 

The offender is a relative of the young victim. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on one count of rape and seven for carnal knowledge of a young person.


These series of serious sexual offences occured, starting in 2019.

However, the judge said a pre-sentence report highlighted, that he was convicted of rape in 1996 and sentenced to four-years imprisonment, which was varied on appeal. 

The report also stated that he was at a high risk of reoffending and related that to this victim. It noted that he was dangerous.

The judge said his offence was further aggravated by having a previous like conviction and that he compelled the victim not to report these offences.

“It is said that he is remorseful. I question this, as he did not plead to the first indictment and sought to deflect what he did by pleading to amended counts that tend to disguise the fact that what he did amounted to rape. I also note that despite bail conditions to stay away from the victim, he repeatedly attended the address,” he said.

"That is not the act of someone who is properly remorseful."

He then sentenced him to a total sentence of eight-years and nine-months imprisonment.

The last six-months was then suspended for two-years on conditions, that he must not commit any offences punishable by imprisonment, placed on probation, live where directed by his probation officer and complete a course on sexual abuse.