Police officer gets jail term for unlawful sex with minor

Jan 30, 2025 | News | 0

Franky Elijah, a 30-year-old police officer serving on Tanna, has been sentenced to three years and nine months’ imprisonment for one count of unlawful sexual intercourse involving a minor, contrary to Section 97(2) of the Penal Code [CAP 135].

The complainant, a Year 7 student born on July 8, 2008, was 14½ years old at the time of the incident, which occurred on January 1, 2023.

The defendant, who was 27 years old at the time, is single and the only son in his family. His father passed away in 2021, leaving his widowed mother dependent on him. He completed Year 13 at Matevulu College before enrolling with the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) in 2020. His superior officer and community leader spoke positively of him.

His actions have put his career on end, which would impact him, his mother, and others who depended on him as their provider.

On January 1, 2023, the defendant and his friends were drinking and driving around in a black truck. Around 7PM, the victim and her two cousins, left their house to go to another village.

The defendant and his friends saw the girls standing by the roadside and offered them a ride. The three girls accepted and got into the truck.

The defendant, who was driving, took them around town, then to Bethel and White Grass, before stopping near Imanam Road, close to his house.

He got out and asked the complainant to follow him inside. She hesitated, but her cousins and the defendant’s friends encouraged her to go.

At the house, the complainant was asked to lie down, and the defendant had sexual intercourse with her. He then fell asleep. The next morning, when he woke up, the complainant was still lying beside him. He asked her again, but she refused.

After a complaint was lodged, the police obtained a statement from the defendant under caution. He admitted to the incident but stated that he did not know the complainant’s age and believed she was older. He also claimed that she willingly participated in the events of that night.

There was no prior relationship between the defendant and the complainant, though statements from the victim’s father suggested that the defendant had taken a liking to her.

According to court records, the defendant took advantage of the complainant. As a police officer, he was expected to protect her but instead violated that trust. His actions exposed the complainant to risk and caused lasting emotional trauma.

The age difference of 12 years was noted as an aggravating factor, and the court found no mitigating circumstances. The defendant did not show any remorse.

His sentence of three years and nine months’ imprisonment took effect on December 6, 2024.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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