THE man who allegedly raped his daughter in April this year at a plantation in East Guadalcanal will enter his plea on August 10.
This was after prosecution withdrew the charge of incest yesterday and maintained the rape charge.
The 65-year-old father from Temotu was initially charged with one count of rape and another count of incest for the alleged incident in April.
Prosecution on Monday said they will be dropping the incest charge and continue with the rape charge.
Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu said the father was charged with two different charges in relation to one alleged incident and therefore had to withdraw one of the charges.
The maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment while that of incest is seven years.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi after taking note of the withdrawal adjourned the matter in order for the father to enter his plea to the rape charge.
The defence counsel will also indicate the type of preliminary inquiry to be conducted on the father’s case.
Michael Holara of Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the accused.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
