Two suspects convicted for rape incidents in Temotu Province

Two suspects have been convicted for rape incidents in Temotu province during a High Court trial at Lata from 26 to 30 June 2023.

A recent five-day High Court have heard few cases resulting in the conviction and imprisonment of two suspects after being found guilty on rape charges by the High Court Judge Mr. Leonard Maena.

The two suspects convicted were represented by Counsel Donation Houa of Lata Pubsol office and the crown prosecutors were John Zoze and Patricia Tabepuda of the Director Public Prosecution Office.

First case had occurred on 21 October 2016 at Santa Cruz which a father of two children raped a 14 year-old girl and was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Second case had occurred on 21 January 2020 at Santa Cruz which a father of five children raped a 9 year-old girl and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Both convicted defendants will be serving their terms at Lata Correctional Service Centre.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) superintendent James Toaki says, “On behalf of the RSIPF and people of Temotu Province I would like to thank the office of the Chief Magistrate for scheduling the first High Court trial for this year for Lata.

“I want to warn all my good people in Temotu Province not to take the law into your own hands. Our laws are there to protect us and to ensure we respect one another in our communities,” PPC Toaki said.