A CASE involving four men from Choiseul Province who were charged with sexual offences was heard by the High Court Circuit in in Gizo, Western Province, last week.
The matter went before High Court Judge, Justice Ronald Bei Talasasa, last Monday during his High Court Gizo Circuit hearings.
The court was told the four accused on separate occasions had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl who could not be named for legal reasons.
They were charged with the offence of having sexual intercourse with a child under 15 Contrary to Section 139 (1) (b) of the Penal Code (Cap. 21) as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016 to be with Section 21 (c) of the Penal Code (Cap. 21).
The particulars of the offence provided by the prosecution at the court revealed, that most of the men were from Pangoe Village.
It was disclosed that on 29 April 2021 inside a house at Pangoe village, one of the accused committed a sexual offence on a child aged 13 by penetrating her private part with a torch light, while two others also from Panqoe aided and abetted him.
One accused, on the same date inside a house, produced child exploitation material – photographs of the child – whilst two of accused aided and abetted him.
Another accused – the fourth – was also charged with the same offence.
According to the particulars of the offence produced in court, the fourth accused committed the offence at a market stall at Panqoe on 30 April 2021. He penetrating the girl’s private part with an eggplant.
In court last Monday, only two of the accused appeared before Justice Talasasa.
The other two co-accused were still in Choiseul.
Both the prosecution and defence asked the court to adjourn the case because they want the matter to be dealt with once all the accused are present.
The Court therefore extended bail for one of the two accused who turned up last week after he made an assurance that he will appear for the next hearing.
Another was further remanded at Gizo Correctional Centres after he absconded his bail condition and was by Noro police last month.
Judge Talasasa then adjourned the matter to Monday 6 November for mention.
By MOFFAT MAMU
