SERUPEPELLI NIUBASAGA SHOCKS SOUTH CERNEY WITH BRUTAL ATTACK ON MUM AND DAUGHTER

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of South Cerney, Gloucestershire, a soldier named Serupepeli Niubasaga, aged 41, was convicted of a heinous sexual assault and rape against a mother, Georgia Hinton, aged 26. The incident unfolded in May 2018, but the repercussions and legal proceedings have continued into recent years, highlighting the severity of the crime and the ongoing struggle for justice faced by victims of sexual violence.

Georgia Hinton, originally from Livingston, Scotland, had moved to South Cerney in 2017 with her then-partner, who was serving in the Army. Her partner was a postal and courier operator stationed at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, where Georgia also settled with her three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. She quickly integrated into the community, making friends among the Army wives and establishing a routine that included her daughter attending nursery and socializing with other children.

On a seemingly ordinary day in May 2018, Georgia had dropped her daughter off at a neighbor’s house for a playdate. When she returned to pick her up, she was invited to join a barbecue hosted by the neighbors. During the gathering, Georgia recognized a man named Serupepeli Niubasaga, a soldier she had seen before at the nursery and local supermarket but had never spoken to. She described him as a friend of an acquaintance, and initially, their interaction was casual. However, she soon noticed that Niubasaga was staring at her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable, and he approached her to introduce himself.

As the evening progressed, Georgia attempted to distance herself from Niubasaga, expressing her need to top up her drink. Despite her efforts, he persisted, blocking her path and repeatedly asking where she was going and urging her to stay longer. Feeling uneasy, Georgia firmly declined and rejoined her friends, but she could not shake the feeling of being watched. She decided to leave the gathering once her daughter had fallen asleep, around midnight, and she carried her upstairs to bed.

It was then that Georgia’s nightmare truly began. She heard a creak behind her and turned to see Niubasaga standing in her bedroom. Her heart pounded as she realized he had followed her home. Ignoring her, he approached her daughter and told her to go to sleep, which terrified Georgia, fearing he might harm her child. She left the room and sat downstairs on the sofa in silence, her mind racing with fear.

Niubasaga then kneeled before her and made a disturbing comment about how the way Georgia dressed in his country would attract the wrong kind of attention. Without warning, he began to fondle her breasts, continuing to justify his actions by claiming that men would interpret her clothing as an invitation for sex. Georgia, overwhelmed with fear and shame, wanted to scream but instead quietly sobbed, desperately trying to protect her daughter from witnessing any further violence.

Suddenly, Niubasaga pushed up her skirt, moved her underwear aside, and proceeded to rape her. Despite her efforts to kick him off, he held her down, overpowering her. After the assault, he left her house without uttering a word, leaving Georgia collapsed on the floor in a state of shock and despair. It was only after she managed to call a friend for help that she was able to compose herself enough to seek assistance. Her distress was evident, and she was hysterical.

Within hours, police officers and Army welfare personnel arrived at her home. The following day, Niubasaga was arrested in connection with the attack. Georgia recounted her frustration with the Army’s response, stating that welfare staff initially insisted that Niubasaga was innocent until proven guilty. This attitude compounded her trauma, leading to severe flashbacks and emotional distress.

In the aftermath of the assault, Georgia and her daughter relocated approximately 200 miles away to Lowestoft, Suffolk, to escape the trauma and seek safety with her family. The legal process was lengthy; in October 2019, her case went to trial, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a hung jury. It was not until July 2020 that justice was finally served when Niubasaga was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of rape at Bristol Crown Court. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Georgia expressed the immense emotional toll it took on her during the two trials. She criticized the defense for ridiculing her as a mother for not removing her daughter from the situation and accused Niubasaga of lying under oath, claiming she had raped him. Despite the pain and suffering she endured, Georgia was grateful that her testimony was believed and that justice was ultimately achieved. However, she emphasized that her case is just one example of the many women who do not receive such justice and called for more support and action to protect victims of sexual assault within the Army and beyond.