A 70-year-old grandfather has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison for three sexual offences involving his three young granddaughters.
The man’s identity has been suppressed by the Supreme Court because of the young age of the victims and their family relationship with him.
The victims were aged 11, six and seven when the offences took place in 2024 at the offender’s home.
The Court heard that the girls experienced pain and fear and wanted to get away from the offender but could not.
The offences came to light in 2025 after one of the offender’s granddaughters told her aunt that she had witnessed him on top of one of the young victims.
The matter was reported to the Samoa Victim Support Group on 19 June 2025, with Police receiving a complaint on 4 July 2025.
Senior Justice Leutele M Tuatagaloa described the offences as being at the very serious end of the scale because of the victims’ young ages and the offender’s position as their grandfather.
“His conduct involved a serious abuse of authority and a grave breach of the obligation to protect and care for his grandchildren.”
The Court also referred to the Samoan concept of “mataifale”, describing the offences as a violation of trust and innocence within the family.
“These acts show a complete disregard for family bonds and the duty to protect young girls.”
The Court found several aggravating factors, including the three victims, their young ages, the significant age difference, the calculated nature of the offences and the close family relationship.
The offender had no previous convictions, apologised to the victims’ mothers and wider family, and pleaded guilty.
The Court adopted a starting sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment before allowing deductions for his first-offender status, apology and personal circumstances, as well as a 25 per cent discount for his guilty pleas.
He was ultimately sentenced to 13 years and six months’ imprisonment on each of the three counts, with the sentences to be served concurrently, less any time already spent in custody.
Guideline Authority
The case of Key v Police [2013] WSCA 3 provides the guideline for penetrative offences:
(a) Rape band one: 8–10 years
Appropriate where the offending is at the lower end and where aggravating features are absent, or their presence is very limited.
(b) Rape band two: 9–15 years
Where violence and premeditation are moderate.
(c) Rape band three: 14–20 years
Where aggravating features are present at a relatively serious level.
(d) Rape band four: 19 years to life
Reserved for the most serious offending, typically involving multiple acts over considerable time. Repeat family offending falls within this band.
Alofa Grace is an Intern Reporter and Photographer with Samoa Global News. Alofa Grace is passionate about sharing stories and capturing real moments. She is a graduate of Maluafou College and hopes to continue a career as a Journalist.
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