A MAN on trial for rape at the High Court is now facing sentence on a lesser charge.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged
victim, stood trial on Wednesday in the High Court for one count of
rape.
However, during the cross-examination of the alleged victim, she agreed to what defence counsel put across to her.
That is, the accused did not rape her but laid on top of her and masturbated.
As a result of this, the Director of Public Prosecutions decided to reduce the charge to indecent assault, to which the accused pleaded guilty to yesterday.
The sentencing submissions and mitigation were also made after he entered his pleas.
His sentence will be handed down today by Justice Francis Mwanesalua.
The incident occurred on 16 September 2013 at a settlement in West Honiara while the alleged victim paid a visit to her aunty residing there.
Her aunty was doing the laundry when the accused entered the house where the girl and a baby were sleeping and did what he did.
The accused is represented by George Gray of Public Solicitor’s Office while Public Prosecutor Nelson Dhita appeared for the State.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
