Fijian national Tomasi Dredre back in court to learn his fate for raping woman

A self-professed Christian who asked his victim for directions before raping her in her home stopped after he saw a Bible in the room.

Tomasi Sotia Dredre, 36, was jailed for at least eight years after raping the woman who tried to help him with directions. Picture: Tinnakorn Jorruang/iStock

A self-professed Christian who stopped raping a woman in her 60s only after spotting the Bible has been jailed for eight years.

Fijian national Tomasi Sotia Dredre, 36, fronted the County Court on Monday for sentencing after earlier pleading guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault.

Judge Claire Quin said Dredre had been drinking strong Fijian rum while fixing his brother’s yacht prior to the offending before an argument broke out with his sibling and he left.

On July 23 last year the victim, who has a mental health condition, was on a routine coffee walk before Dredre approached her and claimed he was lost.

The married father of four repeatedly asked to accompany her and once they arrived at her Middle Park home, she went inside to consult her Melways and write down instructions.

Dredre entered the house and wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her.

She told him “No, I don’t want this, I don’t want any of this,” and tried to push him away but he was too strong.

He tripped her in the hallway where she landed on her back before he pulled off her underwear. He then dragged her into the spare bedroom.

A drunk and self-professed Christian Tomasi Dredre stopped raping a good Samaritan only after spotting the Bible in the bedroom.

Dredre raped and sexually assaulted the woman and told her “If you let me f--- you, I’ll let you go”.

During the attack, Dredre noticed a Bible and asked the woman if she believed in God before he stopped and said: “Sorry, I am a Christian too”.

She said she would not contact police if he left before he helped himself to some water and ran from the house.

“You took advantage of the kindness of a stranger. Given the age discrepancy and the difference in physical stature between you and her, the complainant was more vulnerable,” Judge Quin said.

“The offending was predatory and committed solely for your own sexual gratification. Your decision to desist was after a significant period and appears motivated by your discovery of the complainant’s faith.”

The victim suffered injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. She is now anxious and concerned about walking alone in the local area which used to feel safe. She has difficulty sleeping and trusting people and is hesitant to help anyone.

Judge Quin accepted Dredre’s offending was spontaneous and opportunistic. However, she said Dredre took advantage of the victim once he got her home, built up a rapport and gained her trust.

Dredre was jailed in the County Court on Monday for a minimum of eight years. Picture: Liam Beatty/ NewsWire.

Dredre’s brother had sponsored him to work and send money back to his family in Fiji and would almost certainly be deported to his homeland after serving his prison term.

Dredre was supposed to return to Fiji about five days before the offending and Judge Quin said his actions have not only put his family to shame but also put them in a “parlous” financial position.

His youngest daughter, who was born while Dredre was in Australia, has been diagnosed with a severe developmental delay and needs treatment from specialists.

Judge Quin sentenced Dredre to seven years in jail on the charge of rape and three years and six months for sexual assault.

She ordered that one year from the assault charge be served cumulative to the seven-year term.

Dredre will have to serve four years and six months before he’ll be eligible for parole.