A 36-year-old man from the Northern Division has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after being convicted of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The court heard that the man raped his 5-year-old niece, his 7-year-old cousin and 9-year-old cousin between April and June this year.

Justice Salesi Temo says raping children is a despicable crime.

Justice Temo says it is a direct attack on the most vulnerable in our society.

He says children are the future of this country and it is the duty of the court to pass severe sentences on those that attack them sexually, as deterrence to others.

It was highlighted that the man pleaded guilty after the first call in the High Court.

Justice Temo started the sentence at 18 years however he deducted 3 years for the early guilty plea, one year deduction for being a first offender, another 3 months was deducted for time spend in remand, 9 month deduction for being remorseful, one year deduction for co-operation with police. The total deduction of the sentence is 6 years from 18 years

The man has to serve eleven years behind bars.