The son of a prominent high chief and politician has been sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to two counts of producing pornographic pictures involving juveniles, contrary to section 62(A)(1)(b)(ii) of the Juveniles Act of 2009.
The 52-year-old appeared before Resident-Magistrate Joseph Daurewa at the Sigatoka Magistrates Court, last month.
The Court heard that the facts are that between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2012 at Sigatoka in the Western Division in private, the accused participated in the photographing of pornographic activities involving a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old at the time and therefore, juveniles.
It is understood that the juveniles were asleep; you took the respective photographs of the juveniles, naked.
The Court heard that the 52-year-old entered a guilty plea to the charge out of his free while and voluntarily admitted to the summary of facts.
“The images do not show any penetrative or non-penetrative sexual activity. But it does show indecent images as they portray… the two juveniles.”
“Given that you admit to producing the photographs by taking the indecent images, you qualify as a producer of the images. Fiji’s maximum sentence varies distinctively from the UK maximum sentence so I will take a higher starting point.”
“Your actions are indeed disturbing and distasteful. There must be a message of deterrence to the members of the public that such actions will not be condoned.”
“Further, I issue a permanent domestic violence restraining order with standard non-molestation conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of the victims in this matter. Pursuant to Section 62A (8) of the Juveniles Act, I order the Deputy Registrar to notify the Commissioner of Police to enter the details of this conviction in the register maintained for persons convicted under the Act,” Magistrate Daurewa said.
He has 28 days to appeal his sentencing.
