Police in the Western Province have arrested a 70-year-old man for the alleged rape of a 6-year-old girl in Niumala Village, Kohingo Island in Western Province on 19 July 2018.
The alleged suspect is a native of Samangago Village, in the Shortland Islands but was living with his brother at Niumala Village at the time of incident.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “The victim in this matter is a niece of the alleged perpetrator.”
PPC Lenialu says, “The alleged incident happened when the mother of the victim told her to look after her sibling baby while she (the mother) prepared the baby’s dinner. While the victim’s mother was outside of the house, the accused called the victim, who at that time was inside the sleeping room taking care of the baby, to come out side to the living room.”
“The victim’s mother then returned to the house and witnessed the alleged gross inappropriate sexual act done to her daughter by her brother in-law,” says Chief Superintendent Lenialu.
The matter was reported to Noro Police for investigation and the case was forwarded to Gizo Police for further remand application.
The Gizo Magistrate Court granted the remand application due to the gravity of the offence and the accused will appear in court on 7 August 2018 for his trial.