A 53-year-old man convicted of rape has been sentenced to 12 years and eight months imprisonment by Suva High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.

The man had raped his 17-year-old niece in a village in Tailevu on 2nd February last year.

Justice Rajasinghe stated that rape is a serious offence and it requires a deterrent sentence and he has also considered breach of trust as an aggravating factor.

A non-parole period of 10 years and eight months has been set.