BY ROMINAH FAKA
A man accused of the murder and rape of a woman in Guadalcanal Plains in May, 2025 took his plea this morning, Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Magistrate Court.
Richard Sonia, 25, is charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of Penal Code, and one count of rape contrary to section 136 F (1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code, as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016.
Both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The deceased was a 29-year-old woman.
The incident occurred on May 21, 2025 in the cocoa area near GPPOL II, North Guadalcanal.
Sonia was allegedly intoxicated when he encountered the deceased while she was washing clothes at a well.
It is further alleged that the defendant attempted to grab the deceased but when she resisted, he used a stone to hit her on the forehead and then raped her.
The deceased later died allegedly as a result from the attack by the defendant.
Office of Director of Public Prosecution is prosecuting and Donation Houa acts for the defendant.
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