A TWENTY-THREE (23) year old male suspect has been apprehended for raping a 15-year-old girl at a garden in a village in North West Choiseul recently.
He allegedly raped the girl while under the influence of alcohol.
Officers of the Royal Solomon Police Force (RSIPF) at Taro police station carried out the arrest.
It was alleged that the suspect confronted and grabbed the victim using his hands by shutting the victim’s mouth then dragged her to a nearby bush and allegedly rape her.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Berry Pogesopa said the victim was on her way to their garden wen the suspect followed her in a distance.
PPC Pogesopa said the victim struggled but the suspect threatened the victim and then removed her clothes.
The victim continued to struggle to avoid the suspect but became powerless as the suspect overpowered her by holding her tightly with his hands and have sex with her.
Superintendent Pogesopa said, not long after, the victim’s mother who was following her daughter to the garden noticed the victim’s belongings beside the road. The mother becomes suspicious therefore, she called out to her daughter.
“At that time, the suspect threatened the victim not to respond to her mother’s call. However, the victim struggled and manages to free herself from the suspect and escaped to her mother for safety,” PPC Pogesopa said.
The suspect who was also under the influence of liquor has been arrested and charged for rape contrary to section 136 (f)(a) of the penal code.
Suspect was bailed and appeared before the Taro Magistrates’ Court on Monday 7 October 2024.
PPC Pogesopa said, the rate of morale offences such as rape is increasing in the communities and police is calling on parents and guidance to look after children especially girls to avoid perpetrators from committing such crime.
Police will not tolerate such action and urge all good citizens to support police in fighting against crime in our communities.
Investigation into the rape incident is continuing.
- RSIPF
