Attempted rape accused awaits setting of trial dates
A MAN who denied trying to rape a 10-year-old girl in 2021 during the recent High Court sitting in Lata, Temotu Province, is awaiting the setting of his trial dates.
The defendant, who could not be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, entered a not guilty plea to one count of Attempted Rape.
The pre-trial conference and the fixing of trial dates on his matter will be made in the next High Court circuit in Lata.
The defendant was 69 years old at that time of the alleged offence in June 2021 in a village on Duff Island in Temotu Province.
On the day of the incident, the alleged victim was playing outside the house when the defendant called her to take to him slaked lime to chew with his betelnut.
When the alleged victim delivered him the lime, he further ordered her to bring him a lit firewood.
Upon her return, the defendant allegedly told her to go up to his veranda to sit with him.
The alleged victim refused but the defendant forced her up the veranda and then into his bedroom, where he allegedly attempted to rape her.
The matter was later reported to police, resulting in the arrest of the defendant.
Bus driver to go on trial for fatal accident
THE bus driver who allegedly hit an elderly woman whilst she was crossing the Kukum Highway, Honiara, last October will go on trial today.
Patrick Maetalulu is facing one count of Causing Death by Reckless Driving.
The prosecution will be calling three witnesses at the trial conducted before Deputy Chief Magistrate, Ricky Iomea, this morning.
Police charged Maetalulu for hitting the woman who was in her 60s whilst crossing the highway opposite the Saint Barnabas Cathedral, on 11 October 2022.
Maetalulu was allegedly driving a bus in the westerly direction and along the outer lane when he suddenly hit the pedestrian.
After the incident, Maetalulu and few bystanders carried the woman into the bus and rushed her to the National Referral Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Bobby Harunari of Public Solicitor’s Office is representing Maetalulu.
