The sentencing of a man who raped a student at Western Province in 2010 has been deferred to next week.
This was because the accused was not brought over to Honiara from Gizo.
The court heard on Thursday from the defence that there was delay in the funding to bring the accused to Honiara.
As a result, Justice Stephen Pallaras was forced to adjourn the sentencing to August 14.
The 41-year-old father of four is awaiting sentence for two counts of rape. Dick Alu was convicted after a trial in Gizo during a high court circuit last month.
The victim was 19 years of age at that time of the rape.
Alu raped her in an outboard motor canoe and at Gizo between 12 midnight of June 1 and 2am of June 2, 2010.
The victim boarded the canoe driven by the accused intending to drop off at her village at Vella La Vella, Western Province.
Alu however when all the passengers on the boat were dropped off did not take the victim to her village but turn the canoe back to Gizo.
It was on their way whilst in the boat that he raped the girl and then raped her again at Malakerava in Gizo.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
