4 Aug 2015

Samoan brothers jailed for incest

2:09 pm on 4 August 2015

A Supreme Court judge in Samoa has jailed two brothers who admitted to sexual charges against their sister who was fifteen years of age at the time of the offences.

The offences happened in a village on Savaii island on two separate occasions two years ago.

The 21 year old has been imprisoned for 10 years on two counts of rape while the younger of the pair, who is nineteen, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail for incest.

The victim is under the care of the Samoa Victim Support Group.

In his decision, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, said the actions of the brothers are clear violations of the sacred cultural values between a brother and a sister.

He said imprisonment terms are appropriate for this kind of crime to send a strong message and warning.