Tongan man sentenced to 16 years in jail for sexually abusing two girls

 A court in Tonga  has sentenced  a man  to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing two girls,  the Kaniva news reports.

The man carried out the offences against a 10 year old girl and her 11 year old sister over a two week period.

According to Kaniva News, the perpetrator was living with their mother.

The man has a previous conviction for raping a 12 year old girl.

In his sentencing report, Mr Justice Cato said the sentence reflected and emphasised the need to deter and denounce crimes against vulnerable victims and protect children.

He said the girls, who are now in care, had been injured mentally and physically.

The man has been banned from having any contact with the victims or with his own daughters by the victims’ mother.

“I consider that   he   represents   a   serious   threat   to   girls   and  there   is  no certainty  that,  even  when  released  after  a  long  period of time  in custody,  he  will  not  still  represent  a  serious  threat,” Mr Justice Cato said.

The final 18 months of the man’s sentence will be suspended on condition that he does not commit any offences punishable by imprisonment for three years; that he is placed on probation; that he does not live in any residence where girls or young women live and that he receives sexual abuse counselling.

The court has ordered that no material be published that could identify the girls.

   
Source:
Kaniva News