A 76-year-old grandfather has been arrested for alleged rape in a community in East Choiseul on 6 November 2024.
The grandfather, who was a person of trust, committed the offence with three different victims ageing eight, nine, and twelve years on separate occasions.
Taro police made the arrest.
It was alleged that the suspect invited the victims to his house before committing the crime. After committing the crime, the suspect threatened the victims not to inform their parents about the incident.
The victims kept information about the incident as a secret out of fear of being intimidated by the suspect.
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Commissioner, Mr. Mostyn Mangau, said one of the victims shared her story of the incident involving herself with the suspect with another victim, and thats when information about the incident eventually leaked.
Commissioner Mangau said, Taro responded to the incident, arrested the suspect, and dealt with them.
The suspect was charged for three counts of rape, contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.
The suspect has been remanded at Gizo Correctional Services awaiting further proceeding in court.
Mr. Mangau said the rate of sexual offences in the province is quite alarming.
“Some of the alleged offences are committed by people of trust in the community. This is a serious and sad thing to see happening in our society.
“Parents and guardians need to be more cautious and considerate on who is looking after your children, as some person of trust can no longer be trusted,” Mangau said.
He is appealing to all good citizens of the communities to be more responsible and work together to look after our children with love and due care and not to abuse them, as this will have a negative impact on their lives.
The police chief urges all responsible leaders to report perpetrators who commit rape and other crimes so that the police will deal with them.
“We must work together so that we have a crime-free society that is conducive for our people.
“Rape is a crime, and those found guilty of the crime can face a lifelong imprisonment sentence by the court,” he said.
- RSIPF
