A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for raping a woman while she slept in her home.
Fetuao Koneferenisi was found guilty of rape, unlawful sexual connection and unlawful entry of a building by night.
The offending occurred a year ago, in the early hours of 5 October 2025 at the woman’s home in Vailoa, Faleata.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma said Koneferenisi had entered the house through a screen wire near the front door before approaching the woman in her bedroom.
The Court found that the victim, 28, was asleep and heavily intoxicated, leaving her incapable of giving free and voluntary consent.
Justice Fepuleai said the woman’s evidence was materially supported by Koneferenisi’s cautioned police interview, in which he admitted entering her home and sexually assaulting her while she slept.
“The complainant was asleep and heavily intoxicated, rendering her particularly vulnerable,” the Judge said.
“The offending occurred in the complainant’s home, where she was entitled to feel safe and secure.”
The Court heard that the woman initially did not wish to pursue a police complaint. She confronted Koneferenisi at his family home and sought an apology, which he gave in the presence of his mother and another person.
The defendant and the woman knew each other, as did their families.
The apology was accepted, and the matter was later reported to police.
In assessing the seriousness of the offending, Justice Fepuleai considered the woman’s vulnerability, the unlawful entry into her home at night and the progression of the sexual assault.
The prosecution argued for a sentencing starting point of between 12 and 15 years under Band 2 of the relevant sentencing guideline. The defence submitted that the offending fell within Band 1.
Justice Fepuleai placed the offending at the upper end of Band 1 and set a starting point of nine years’ imprisonment for rape.
The Judge placed the offending at the upper end of Band 1, selecting nine years as the starting point and then deducted two years and six months for mitigating factors, giving a final sentence of six years and six months
Justice Roma allowed a reduction of two years and six months for Koneferenisi’s youth, previous good character, personal circumstances, positive references, remorse and apology.
Koneferenisi also had no previous convictions.
The Court heard that he left school after primary school and worked in hospitality before spending the past three years employed as a vehicle detailer for a car rental company.
The defendants mother described him as respectful and obedient, while his pastor and employer provided positive references.
“I accept that you are regretful,” Justice Fepuleai said.
“Sentencing for offences of this nature must reflect the purposes of denunciation, accountability, deterrence, protection of vulnerable members of the community, and recognition of the profound harm caused by sexual offending,” said Justice Roma.
Koneferenisi received six years and six months’ imprisonment for rape, four years for unlawful sexual connection and two years for unlawful entry of a building by night.
All sentences are to be served concurrently.
