A 76-year-old grandfather was arrested for raping three girls in Choiseul province

Taro police have arrested a 76-year-old grandfather for alleged rape in a community in East Choiseul on 6 November 2024.

The grandfather, who was a person of trust, committed the offence with three different victims ageing eight, nine, and twelve years on separate occasions.

It was alleged that the suspect invited the victims to his house before committing the crime. After committing the crime, the suspect threatens the victims not to inform their parents about the incident.

The victim kept information about the incident as a secret out of fear of being intimidated by the suspect.
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Commissioner, Mr. Mostyn Mangau, said one of the victims shared her story of the incident involving herself with the suspect with another victim, and this is when information about the incident eventually leaked.

Commissioner Mangau said Taro responded to the incident, arrested the suspects, and dealt with them. The suspect was charged for three counts of rape, contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code. The suspect is currently remand at Gizo Correctional Services awaiting further proceeding in court.

Mr. Mangau said the rate of sexual offences in the province is quite alarming. Some of the alleged offences are committed by people of trust in the community. This is a serious and sad thing to see happening in our society.

“Parents and guardians need to be more cautious and considerate on who is looking after your children, as some person of trust can no longer be trusted,” Mangau said.

He is calling on all good citizens of our communities to be more responsible and work together to look after our children with love and due care and not to abuse them, as this will have a negative impact on their lives.

The police chief urges all responsible leaders to report perpetrators who commit rape and other crimes so that the police will deal with them. We must work together so that we have a crime-free society that is conducive for our people.

Rape is a crime, and those found guilty of the crime can face a lifelong imprisonment sentence by the court.