A MAN, who raped his niece and sexually assaulted her in 2013, will be sentenced on May 26.
The mitigation and sentencing submissions were made before Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika yesterday.
The man, who cannot be named to protect his niece’s identity, was convicted after a trial for one count of rape and three counts of indecent assault.
The accused was 42 years-old old at the time of the offending while his niece was only 12 years of age.
The alleged incidents occurred on Christmas Day in 2013, when the victim was returning home to the borderline area, East Honiara.
Earlier on that day, she went to see her mother at the Honiara Central Market but was then sent home by her mother.
The accused was also at the market at that time being armed with a fish hook and under the influence of liquor.
He then pulled out a kitchen knife and it was at that point that the victim’s mother decided to send her home.
Seeing this, the accused followed the alleged victim into the bus she boarded at the market.
On their way to the house after dropping of the bus, the indecently assaulted the victim and tried to rape her.
Lesley Kwaiga of Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the accused while Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu represents the State.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
