Police arrest three juveniles for alleged rape of young girl in CP

Police in Central Province (CP) arrest three male juveniles recently for alleged rape of a 13-year-old female person at Ghole Village on Small Ngella Island, Central Province.

The three suspects’ ages ranges from 13 -14 years after police obtain their details.

It is alleged the incident of rape took place last month (December 2018) during recent festive seasons. And it is further alleged the three suspects allegedly pulled the victim from the back and closed her mouth, and they have allegedly dragged her into a room of a rest house located in that Village, Aghole. That, the victim has been sheltering from the rain before the suspects attack her.

It is further alleged the victim at the time tries to shout and even struggle to escape but the suspects over powered her.

Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers in Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “My officers have escorted three suspects from Small Ngella Island following an operation on Tuesday 7 January 2019 for questioning them in relation to an alleged rape of a 13-year-old female person at Ghole Village last month during the festive season.”

He adds: “The three suspects are juveniles that their ages ranges from 13 – 14 years but have been alleged to commit a very serious crime. That, they are under arrest today, 10 January 2019 after my investigators establish their alleged involvement to allegedly raping the 13-year-old girl. This is a sad story to learn, that all three suspects have allegedly raped the poor girl. And that as a parent myself and police officer, I must condemn such act against the young girl’s will in the strongest term.”

“The investigation into this alleged rape of the young girl has been possible with the help of the community members and crime prevention committee on Small Ngella Island, and I would like to thank them for their support to my officers,” says Acting PPC Maelasi.

Inspector Maelasi appeals to his good people in Central Province to have respect for one another. He also appeals to parents of children in that province to take extra responsibility to teach young people to stay away from such criminal activity.

The three suspect will be transported to Honiara soon for a remand application on charges of rape pursuant to section 136F of the Penal Code (Amended Sexual Offences) Act 2016.

Rape is a serious offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if the suspects found guilty by the court.