A police officer has been sentenced to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment raping a 14 year old Year 7 student.

The 27-year-old police officer was sentenced earlier this month by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Saksak in Isangel, Tanna for the offence he committed on the first day of this year 2024.

The court heard that the officer, who was intoxicated with alcohol, picked up the victim and other girls in a truck  at night before taking her to his home, where the assault occurred.

According to the judgment, the officer was sentence for “one Count of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse contrary to section 97 (2) of the Penal Code Act”.

In his defense, the officer claimed he was unaware the girl was underage. However, Justice Saksak ruled that the officer had taken advantage of the victim, stating, “He was a policeman with the responsibility to protect her, yet he abused that trust”.

The officer initially pleaded not guilty to but upon rearrangement he pleaded guilty to the charge. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse contrary to section 97 (2) of the Penal Code Act offence carries the maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.