Sex offender of minor jailed [1]
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - 19:48
A 61-year-old man was sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment for indecently assaulting a young girl in 2019.
Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced X (a pseudonym) who appeared on October 15 at the Supreme Court in Neiafu.
He also made an order under Section 119 that no detail reported that could lead to identify the victim in this case.
"This Court has recognised many times that sexual offending against children is taken particularly seriously and that the Court will respond by imposing appropriate sentences, the object of which is the protection of children from being exposed to those who would prey upon them and to deter future offending."
The judge said this was a pre-meditated offence and as such meant that the defendant is dangerous.
The starting point of five-years' imprisonment was reduced due to his guilty plea, which left a total sentence of four and a half-years imprisonment. The final 12-months was suspended, on conditions.