A teacher from a prominent school in Tailevu has been convicted on six charges of rape involving students.

The court heard evidence from the complainants, who testified that the accused lured them to his residence on various occasions and forced them to perform sexual acts.

In delivering his judgment, Judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili found the complainants to be credible witnesses and ruled that their evidence was consistent and reliable.

The offences were alleged to have occurred between 2023 and 2024 and involved three students, two 17-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy, from the same school.

The State called five witnesses, including the complainants, the assistant principal and the investigating officer. The defence counsel cross-examined the investigating officer.

After the close of the State’s case, the accused elected to give evidence and called one witness in his defence.

The court heard evidence from the complainants, who testified that the accused lured them to his residence on various occasions and forced them to perform sexual acts.

The defence denied the allegations and challenged the adequacy of the police investigation.

The accused also claimed he was not at home during one of the alleged incidents and raised issues relating to electricity at his residence.

However, the judge found the complainants to be credible witnesses and ruled that their evidence was consistent and reliable.

The court also found that the investigating officer’s evidence established that the allegations had been properly investigated and that the accused was fully aware of the accusations against him.

In his ruling, Justice Ratuvili adds that although there were no independent eyewitnesses, the complainants’ evidence was clear and convincing.

He said the burden of proof remained with the State throughout the trial and that the prosecution had discharged that burden beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter has been adjourned to the 18th of this month for sentencing submissions and the defence to prepare mitigation on behalf of the convicted man.