BY ROMINAH FAKA
THE closing submission for a case against a man accused of raping his niece is expected to return in court on October 4.
The accused who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse with a child under 15 and one count of persistent sexual abuse of a child.
The trial was held in the High Court where prosecution called three witnesses, the two victims and another witness.
After the prosecution completed its case, the accused opt to remain silent and his defence lawyer called one other witness only.
Court adjourns to October 4 for parties to file their closing sentencing submissions.
The two victims were aged 8 and 14 when the offences occurred in 2022 and 2023. The accused is their uncle.
Court heard the first victim who 8 years old at the time of the incident, was sweeping outside of their house, when the accuse showed his private body part to her.
When she tried to escape, the accused allegedly shot her leg with a stone, causing her to fall.
When she was on the ground, the accused went to her and carried her into his house there he sexually abused and raped her.
After the incident the accused gave the victim money.
The second victim was aged 14 years old when the incident occurred, and the accused threatened her with a bush knife and raped her in two occasions in 2022.
In January 2023, the accused again committed the offence on the 14-year-old again when she was on her way home after selling cassava at the Kastom Garden market.
Prosecution stated that after these incidents, the accused fled into hiding.
Seven months of hiding, he returned at 4am on August 21, 2023 to his sister’s house where he indecently assaulted his other niece.
That was when people living in the area spotted him and captured him.
Defence lawyer Delilah Kukura of Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused whilst Prosecutors Hellen Naqu and Georgina Oroi act for the Crown.
