BY MELVILLE TITIULU
A man who pleaded guilty to ‘persistent’ sexual abuse of a six-year-old child will return to court on June 12 for ruling on whether his case will be forwarded to the High Court for trial, the Magistrate court directed yesterday.
The accused who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim appeared at the Honiara Central Magistrate court yesterday – charged with one count of persistent sexual abuse of a child.
Prosecution alleged that the defendant on six separate occasions between January 1, 2018 and January 17, 2026, engaged in acts that constitute persistent sexual abuse.
The court heard that he had sexual intercourse without the child’s consent on five occasions.
The court also heard that on the sixth occasion, having been in a position of trust, the defendant committed an indecent act on the child by touching her breast, without her consent.
Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison, who earlier arraigned the defendant in April this year told the defendant in court that in any event, the girl [victim] is too young to have given consent.
Serious sexual offences like that of persistent sexual abuse of a six-year-old child attracts a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and is only triable in the High Court.
Principal Magistrate Michael Fagani presided over the matter yesterday. The court yesterday extended a Remand of Warrant for the defendant.
Principal Magistrate Fagani will deliver his ruling on Friday, June 12.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODDP) is prosecuting the case while the defendant is represented by a defence lawyer from the Public Solicitors Office.
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