A pastor has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months imprisonment after being found guilty of unlawfully sexually assaulting his 5-year-old daughter in Tanna.

According to a written judgment handed down by Justice Maree MacKenzie yesterday, the court heard that the victim, identified only as MM, was five years old when the offending occurred in April 2025.

The court heard that the father sexually assaulted his daughter at the family home while her mother was away with the other children.

The the next day, MM told her mother that her private parts were painful, leading her mother to seek medical treatment.

A medical examination on 28 April 2025 on the victim confirmed that the victim has been been abused.

In sentencing, Justice MacKenzie said the offending involved a serious breach of the trust placed in the defendant as the child’s father.

“You should have protected her, not used her for your sexual gratification.”

The judge also said the child should have been able to feel safe in her own home.

Several aggravating factors factors identifies by the court includes the child’s age and vulnerability, the 37-year age difference between the defendant and the victim, the fact that the offending occurred in the family home, and the opportunity taken while the child’s mother was away.

Justice MacKenzie said there was also a degree of planning involved in the offending.

The judge noted that although the offending did not involve penile penetration, the child suffered physical injury as a result.

The defendant, now aged 44, was a first offender and a pastor who was regarded positively in his community. His good character resulted in a six-month reduction.

However, the court found there was no basis for a reduction for remorse because the defendant continued to deny the offending after being convicted at trial.

Justice MacKenzie also rejected an application to suspend the sentence.

The judge said sexual offending of this nature required a strong response from the court, stressing that the defendant’s status as a first offender and pastor could not outweigh the seriousness of the crime.

“This is serious offending. You took advantage sexually of your daughter, who was vulnerable because of her age and the age disparity.”

The judge added that the child had been injured as a result of the penetration and said the offending “must be strongly condemned.”

Justice MacKenzie concluded that there was nothing exceptional in the circumstances to justify suspending the sentence.

The court imposed an immediate sentence of five years and six months’ imprisonment.