A 26-YEAR-OLD man has denied having unlawful sex with a 17-year-old girl on two occasions when he appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court.
The defendant, whose identity is withheld to protect the alleged victim, faces two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 18.
His case was adjourned this week and will continue tomorrow for a possible ruling on a short form preliminary inquiry, also known as a committal hearing.
This will determine if there is sufficient evidence to commit the matter to the High Court for trial.
Public Prosecutor Monica Mona tendered depositions for the short form preliminary inquiry to the court after the defence confirmed they would proceed with this option.
The defendant is represented by Donation Houa of the Public Solicitor’s Office.
According to the allegations, the defendant committed the first offence in December 2023 in Lata, Temotu Province, and then again in Honiara last month.
At the time of the incidents, both the defendant and the alleged victim resided in Lata, and later in the same area in Honiara.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
