Taro police in Choiseul province have arrested and charged a man over allegations of multiple sexual activities with an underage girl.
Police media statement yesterday said the complainant is a relative of the suspect.
Choiseul Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Berry Pogesopa said these incidents occurred on different dates and locations between January 2023 and January 2025.
Pogesopa said initial report shows the first incident took place when the complainant was 14 years old.
Police allege the last incident occurred on January 21, 2025.
That day members of the community conducted a search for the girl and found her with the suspect, police media statement said.
A report was filed at the Taro police station and the suspect was arrested.
The suspect was charged with the offence of Persistence Sexual Abuse of a Child Contrary to Section 142 of the Sexual Offence Amendment Act 2016.
Pogesopa said the suspect is remanded at Gizo Correctional Services awaiting court on a later date.
He said investigations into this matter is ongoing therefore appealed to any person with relevant information to come forward and assist police with their investigation.
