17 years for raping cousin sister

JUSTICE Lawrence Kangwia described a rape case as “biting the hands that feed you” when he jailed a rapist 17 years on Friday.
“This is a case of serious betrayal of trust and dependency.
“You raped your nine-year-old cousin sister.
“You brought disrepute into the family whom you lived with and ate with.
“Your actions are akin to ‘biting the hands that feed you’,” Justice Kangwia said.
Paul Waiti Kamu, 27, a father of two, had pleaded guilty to raping his cousin sister in Lae in 2018.
“Rape in family relationships is prevalent in this country.
“The litany of cases referred to by both counsels attest to this type of behaviour.
“This case is another display of dwindling moral behaviour in this country.
“This type of offence reflects an affront to what would naturally be composed of sacred family relationships and the ethics that naturally flows from such relationships.
“Deterrence must be factored in the sentencing,” Justice Kangwia said.
The court heard that Kamu resided with the girl’s family and on Oct 15, 2018, at about 1.30am, he picked up the victim who was asleep in the living room and carried her to where he slept.
He then removed her shorts and raped her.
The girl sustained injuries to her vagina.
At the time of the offence Kamu was 25.
Justice Kangwia highlighted that Kamu committed the offence on a child in an existing relationship of trust, authority, and dependency.
“The stigma attached with the ordeal will remain and torment the girl all her life.
“It is also a principle of law that the facts and circumstances of each case must be considered in determining a sentence.
“The facts and circumstances of this case make it very serious, warranting a (lengthy) custodial sentence,” Justice Kangwia said.