Police at Taro in Choiseul Province have arrested a 52-year-old man for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at different times in June and September 2018 in the Sube Sube area close to Poroporo Village on the Choiseul main land opposite Taro Island.
The alleged incident was only reported to Police at Taro on 22 October 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “This is another sad incident involving a very young girl. It is even worse as the suspect is the girl’s own grandfather.”
Superintendent Eria adds, “It is alleged that the 52-year-old man committed the offence inside their dwelling house at night whilst everyone in the house were asleep.”
PPC Eria says, “It is unfortunate the case was only reported to police here at Taro yesterday (22 October). On receiving the report my officers moved quickly and arrested the suspect on the same day. An application is now being made to remand the suspect while investigations continue.”
He says, “I appeal to other family members of the victim and suspect to refrain from taking the law in to their own hands while police investigate the matter and prosecute.”
“I call on our men folk to respect our women and young girls as this kind of incident such as rape will affect them for the rest of their lives. Police will not tolerate such behaviour and attitude in our communities but will prosecute such incidents,” says PPC Eria.