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Police search for man,
wife for alleged rape
By PETER MIVA
A CENTRAL province man and his wife are
sought by police for the alleged rape of his step-daughter – and this is
while they are awaiting a court appearance in the Lae district court for
a previous sexual offence charge on the same victim.
The two appeared in the Committal Court early this year, were granted
K100 bail each and are currently waiting for their next committal
appearance for the previous offence at the end of this month.
Acting metropolitan commander Supt Leo Lamei said this week that police
had received a complaint from the 15-year-old victim who alleged to have
been raped twice last month by the step-father with the full knowledge
of the biological mother while they are on bail awaiting their next
court appearance.
Mr Lamei said police were looking for the parents, who have gone into
hiding, and would arrest and lay fresh charges on them if they are
found.
Mr Lamei said the victim alleged that the step-father allegedly raped
her twice on April 23 at their house.
He said the victim reported the matter to police and has sought refuge
with the Salvation Army in Lae.
According to Lae district court Clerk Oiti Ponduk, district court files
showed that the step-father, one Igo Heagi, 43, from Porebada village,
Central province, appeared in the committal court early this year
charged with the alleged rape of his step- daughter on Jan 2.
The court files showed that the step-father appeared before committal
magistrate Posain Poloh for the charge of sexual relations with the
victim under Section 229 Subsection 229 b of the Criminal Code Act of
PNG.
Court files also showed that the mother was charged with aiding her
husband in committing the alleged offence.
Mrs Ponduk said the court files showed that the mother Lilly Kiap, 35,
from Munumba village, Western Highlands, appeared also with the husband
before Mr Poloh for the charge of procuring sex for her husband from the
victim.
Both were granted K100 bail each and ordered to appear for their next
committal hearing on May 30.
Further reports by the police sexual offence squad showed that the
mother supported her husband in the initial act by allegedly threatening
the victim that if she refused to have sex with the step-father, he
would not pay her school fees.
 
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