Sexual crimes committed against children are prevalent and on the rise in the country.
Most of these cases involve family members, which sees the highest breach of trust.
A 63-year-old man from Kikori, Gulf Province, who breached that highest degree of trust was sentenced to 15 years in jail over the sexual assault of his granddaughter.
The incident, which took place three years ago in Port Moresby, landed him a sentence of 15 years to send a deterrence to the community of such offences.
Aged 60 at the time of then offence, he pleaded guilty in court to the sexual assault of his granddaughter who was then 14 years old between December 2014 and January 2015. .
The act was committed while the victim was asleep.
His lawyer suggested a sentence term of between 5 to 14 years however, the state submitted a term between 16 to 18 years was appropriate.
The Waigani National Court imposed a term of 15 years but had 6 years suspended from the head sentence due to his age.
He has been in pre-trial custody since 4 June 2015.
Time in custody, which is two years, nine months, two weeks and four days will also be suspended from that period.
The father of four will now serve the remaining 6 years at Bomana.