The prosecution asked the Supreme Court for a six-year jail term for a man guilty of having a sexual relationship with his teenage niece which led to her being pregnant two years ago.

The 27-year-old was charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a young person.

According to the summary of facts, the defendant is the victim's father's first cousin.

For the first offence, between 1 June and 31 July 2022 at a village in Savaii, the victim's mother attended a village meeting whilst her father was working and at that time the victim was alone sleeping in her room.

That's when the defendant entered the victim's room and committed the offence.

The second incident happened between 1 June and 31 July 2022 on a Sunday evening at around 11 pm when the victim walked out of their main house to use the toilet outside.

It was stated that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the victim in the toilet after telling her not to make noise.

The victim's mother went looking for the victim and as soon as the defendant heard the victim's mother calling for her, he quickly ran off.

As a result of this offending the victim became pregnant, and the matter was reported to the police and the defendant was apprehended and cautioned accordingly.

On 27 August 2024 on the day of the hearing, the defendant through his counsel, Afoa Fetu Lagaaia, vacated his not-guilty plea and pleaded guilty pleas to the charges.

Judge Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke postponed the matter to 6 November for sentencing.

Assigned Prosecutor Fuifui Ioane submitted a starting point of six years imprisonment as a sentence while defence counsel Afoa asked the court for a starting point of 19 months imprisonment.

Afoa said the defendant was a first offender and also reconciliation had happened between the two families.

Afoa also added that the court should also consider the defendant's good character in his family and village.