FORMER PRINCIPAL SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON

Aug 13, 2020 | News | 0

The former principal of Nabangasale Junior Secondary School on Tongoa has been sentenced to 13 years and 9 months in prison.

John Richard William was convicted after a trial on sexual-related charges against two of his then students. He pleaded guilty to a further sexual-related charge on a third victim, also one of his students.

The principal had sexual intercourse with the first victim without her consent on different occasions from 2007-2008. The first victim discovered she was pregnant but when she informed William, he said it was not true.

The second victim attended Nabangasale School from 2014 to 2017. She lived with the principal at his house. She was always sick and passed away on October 6, 2018.

She was under the age of 18. On October 3, 2018, she made a dying declaration, admitting that she has had two abortions and the father of her two unborn babies was the principal. She also admitted that they had sex “frequently, very often” from Year 8 through to Year 10.

The principal’s third victim admitted that they had sexual intercourse on numerous occasions in different places including at a classroom, and the house of the principal. She also became pregnant as a result of these sexual activities.

Justice Gustaaf Andrée Wiltens spelled out the aggravating factors that impact on Mr. William’s criminal culpability. These include: the use of excessive force, over and above that necessary to perpetrate the offence of sexual intercourse without consent; the breaches of trust- Mr. William was not only biologically related to all three complainants, but he was also in a position of authority over them as the Principal as the school they attend; the repeat offending over a lengthy period of time and the lack of protection used, and the fact that pregnancies resulted.

William is almost 50 years old, married and currently unemployed. He has no previous convictions. He is married with three children.

Justice Wiltens said it was inappropriate to suspend any part of the sentences imposed, due to the gravity and type of offending involved.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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