RAROTONGA (Pacnews) — A former Cook Islands Christian Church pastor was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison yesterday for having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
The man, 45-year-old Tapuni Awia, was convicted on three charges of having sexual intercourse with the girl.
According to defense counsel Tina Browne, Awia began his studying to be a pastor at Takamoa Theological College in 1982 and had since then served in a number of parishes in the Cook Islands.
The probation report described him as “a dedicated and highly recognized person in the community.” Browne asked the court to consider that “the defendant has led a very good Christian life.”
Browne told the court that Awia’s wife said her attitude toward Awia may have been a contributing factor to the incidents in question.
Brown said that while Awia had been “refused” from the church, if he wasn’t imprisoned, the church was willing to send him and his wife overseas to continue with his church duties.
Crown Prosecutor Tingika Elikana said he supported the recommendation by the probation services that Awia be imprisoned.
Chief Justice Greig said it was very clear he had breached the trust not only of the young girl but that of the church by his actions.
The judge said these events were not a one off occurrence but was repeated. “One can never be sure of what effect the offense can have on the young girl,” said the chief justice. He said he couldn’t accept any alternative other than imprisonment, but imposed the shortest possible sentence.
