The man who indecently assaulted a two year-old girl at a settlement in Honiara in March has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga during the sentencing remark on Monday said the Courts in its jurisdiction have echoed from time to time the need to discourage sexual offences and this includes indecent assault.
“When the victims are young children, it is expected that the perpetrators will be treated with minimal leniency.
“The reason is simple and that is to protect young children so that person like you do not see or use them as sex objects but as precious souls who will grow up to become useful members of our societies.”
This two year-old victim is related to the accused as a grand-daughter.
Mr Aulanga further told the accused in his 40s that the victim he indecently assaulted was only two years of age.
“What you had done to her is unimaginable, difficult to comprehend, so sickening and showed total disrespect to her dignity as a small child.
“I cannot accept your explanation that you were so drunk and that was why you did this to her,” Mr Aulanga said.
He said the argument of committing the offence while under the influence of liquor was a mere excuse and does not really reflect his conduct.
Mr Aulanga said the accused’s conduct at that time of the offending and afterwards clearly showed he was conscious of what he was doing.
“By what I mean, you had done perfectly what you wanted to do to the victim and left the kitchen as soon as George chased you out.
“You followed his orders perfectly.”
Mr Aulanga then told the accused that the sentence he imposed must reflect the communities’ revulsion and the Court’s disapproval of this kind of offence.
He said it must carry an element of deterrence so that the objective seriousness of this offence is not denied in passing of sentence.
“In other words, it must discourage this kind of attitude shown in your case.
“Not only that, but it must also able to reform you so that when you’re released from prison, you may become a law abiding person.”
The time he spent in custody was taken into account.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
