By ELIZABETH VUVU
A 39-YEAR-old man was jailed for 15 years by the National Court for raping a mentally-retarded girl at Kutubuta village on Buka island three years ago.
Justice David Cannings said although the victim
did not testify, witnesses had given evidence of “high value”.
The court heard that Philip Nangoe, from Mariyelutu village, was drinking with a friend during the early hours of Feb 23, 2004 when the girl, who was 20 at the time, walked by.
The prosecution produced a witness who said she saw Nangoe raped the girl.
Nangoe’s friend and a few others also testified.
“This is quite a rare rape case, as the complainant did not give evidence but the court has been presented with an eyewitness to the incident who had given credible evidence. All eyewitnesses had given evidence of high value,” Justice Cannings said.
He found Nangoe guilty of aggravated raped and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment.