The courts have a positive obligation under the constitution to protect the vulnerable from any form of violence or sexual abuse.

These were the words of Judge Justice Daniel Goundar while sentencing a 34 year old man convicted of raping a four year old girl.

Justice Goundar sentenced the man to 12 years imprisonment.

On the 12th of October, 2007, the 34 year old man lured the girl into his house when she was playing and raped her.

In mitigation, the 34 year old told the court that he is unemployed, is in a defacto relationship and has only attained primary education.

He also told the court that he has 5 brothers and 2 sisters and his partner depends on him.

He also said that he is a first offender and has been in remand since 27th August 2008 awaiting sentence.

Justice Goundar said the only mitigating factor is the accused's previous good character adding that he gave no weight to the fact that he is the sole bread winner in his family because he was unemployed when he committed the offence and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.