RSIPF arrests suspect for alleged attempted rape in Central Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) in Tulagi have arrested a male suspect in his 40s following an alleged attempted rape on a 20-year-old female at Sesepi Village, Savo Island, in Central Province on 7 January 2020.

Information received by Police say that on the morning of 7 January 2020, the suspect, who is an uncle of the victim, asked her to follow him into the bush away from the main village to collect some betel nut fruits.

It is alleged that as both the victim and suspect were walking home after collecting the betel nut fruits, the suspect blocked the road way from the victim. He allegedly grabbed the victim with both hands and bushed her onto the ground.

The victim managed to pull herself free but it is alleged that the suspect grabbed her again and tried to strongly hold onto the victim’s belly. The victim managed to push the suspect out and ran away screaming and crying back to the main village and reported the incident to her mother.
Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “A report of the incident reached police at Tulagi through a mobile phone call from a member of the Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) at Sesepi Village. Police went to the Village and arrested the suspect.”

The suspect has since been charged with attempted rape contrary to section 138 of the Penal Code and remanded to appear in court at a later date.

“I would like to appeal to my good people in Central Province to respect our woman and girls. Men should protect and care for them. Attempted rape is a serious offence and anyone found guilty of the offence can be sent to prison for seven years,” PPC Maelasi explains

PPC Maelasi adds: “I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the CPCs, chiefs and elders from Sesepi Village on Savo Island for the partnership and working together with the police in Tulagi resulting in the arrest of suspect in this incident”