BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
A sexual offence case is stalling before the High Court because the complainant is nowhere to be found.
Both prosecution and the police’s sexual assault unit cannot reach her.
And, because of this, prosecution cannot respond to proposals from defence regarding the particulars of the charge against the accused.
The incident occurred in 2018 in Isabel province, where the accused allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim.
Appearing on instructions from the prosecutor in carriage, Public Prosecutor Elma Hilly said they had contacted Buala Police to locate the complainant but was unsuccessful as the complainant was not at her home village.
Buala police said the complainant is currently in Honiara and the sexual assault unit in Honiara made attempts to locate the whereabout of the complainant, but unsuccessful, Hilly said.
She said prosecution will maintain the charge until such a time the prosecutor in carriage is able to speak to the complainant.
Meanwhile since the matter is a long-time matter, court has set a trial date for next year, April 25 2022.
High Court judge Justice Maelyn Bird said since there will be seven witnesses called as stated in the pre-trial documents, five days’ trial will be sufficient.
Therefore, the case was adjourned to October 5 for interim mention and the prosecution to update the court on their determination regarding the Defence proposal.
Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused.
