A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment, after pleading guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Johnny Huri committed the offence when he was a bus driver last year.

He drove the younger person who is a family relative, to Banana Bay and committed the offence on the bus.

Huri pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had his sentenced reduced. Sexual intercourse without consent has a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

There were no mitigating factors. Having considered the aggravating factors, Judge Dudley Aru of the Supreme Court gave Huri a starting point of sentence at 8 years imprisonment.

His sentence was later reduced to his early plea and personal factors.

These include being the breadwinner in his family and earning an income by driving his own bus.

Huri is in a de facto relationship and has a baby girl. He has no previous conviction.

His sentence is effective from October 19 this year when the defendant was remanded into custody.

Huri was given 14 days to appeal the sentence.


SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST