A 12-years imprisonment sentence was imposed on a 28-year old man for raping, assaulting and housebreaking committed against a French woman in Neiafu, Vava'u in January last year.

'Uluakisa Na'a who pleaded not guilty to all three charges was found guilty by jurors this morning, May 9. He was sentenced by Justice Robert Shuster this afternoon.

Justice Shuster initially sentenced the convicted man to 14 years imprisonment, but then suspended the final two years of his sentence for three years, since he had accepted the jury's verdict and expressed his remorse in court.

This meant that Na'a, a repeat offender who had been convicted of grievous bodily harm and forgery in Vava'u, would serve 12 years imprisonment.

Na'a who had been living at 'Utulei, was ordered to serve his sentence immediately at Ha'alefo Prison at Vava'u.

The jury trial began at the Vava'u Supreme Court on May 3 with Semisi Lutui as Crown Prosecutor.

A second rape trial is expected to begin at the Vava'u Supreme Court this week, before a jury and Justice Shuster.