Man jailed 11 years for raping two women and domestic abuse

Mar 4, 2026 | News | 0

The Supreme Court has sentenced a 20-year-old man to 11 years and six months’ imprisonment for a series of violent and sexual offences against two women over more than a year.

In Public Prosecutor v Manuake [2026] VUSC 5, Justice Maree MacKenzie handed down the sentence on 11 February 2026 in Port Vila.

Anthony Shem Manuake was found guilty after trial of six charges, including domestic violence, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, an act of indecency without consent, and threats to kill. He had previously pleaded guilty to four additional charges: domestic violence, intentional assault causing permanent injury, escaping lawful custody, and intentional assault.

The offences occurred between July 2023 and September 2024 and involved two victims. One woman, referred to as LT, was his partner at the time. The other, AG, was a woman he met through Facebook.

The Court heard that Manuake repeatedly assaulted LT, including in public at her workplace, and later at a private property where he threatened her and committed sexual assault. Following the attacks, LT sought treatment and was admitted to hospital.

The most serious offences occurred in September 2024, when Manuake sexually assaulted both LT and AG, threatened them with a knife, and forced them to engage in sexual acts. Both victims said they felt unable to leave.

Justice MacKenzie described Manuake’s relationship with LT as “violent and controlling” and said the offending treated her as a “punching bag and sexual plaything.”

In sentencing, the Court noted significant aggravating factors, including the use of a weapon, threats to kill, violence beyond that necessary to commit the sexual offences, breach of trust, and the involvement of two victims. A global starting point of 14 years’ imprisonment was reduced by 10 months for guilty pleas and by 20 months due to Manuake’s relative youth, as he was 18–19 years old when the offences occurred.

Although he had prior convictions for domestic violence and threats to kill, the Court did not increase the sentence further, noting that the lengthy prison term itself would serve as a deterrent.

Manuake was sentenced to 11 years and six months’ imprisonment on each rape charge, to be served concurrently. Concurrent sentences were also imposed for the remaining offences, including up to four years for threats to kill and two-and-a-half years for domestic violence. The Court declined to suspend the sentence due to the seriousness of the offences.

The sentence was backdated to 12 September 2024, when Manuake was remanded in custody. He has 14 days to appeal.

The Court ordered permanent suppression of the names and identifying details of both victims.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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