Rape suspect pleads not guilty

By JOSHUA ARLO
A suspect has pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape he is charged with under section 347 (1) (2) of the Criminal Code Act.
He appeared in court where the State presented the rape charges against him.
It is alleged that between Dec 1, 2005 and April 2006, Stanford Bob Nikints sexually penetrated his victim, without her consent, twice at Gerehu and twice at 9 Mile in Port Moresby.
The victim was 16-years-old when the first alleged rape took place at her relative’s home at Rainbow, Gerehu on Dec 1, 2005.
The suspect, however, denied all the charges put to him and a trial took place at the National Court in Waigani.
The victim, who is about 19-years-old now, was the first State witness to be called to give evidence.
According to her evidence, the first alleged rape occurred when she was alone with the accused at her relative’s home after she was pulled by the hand into the accused’s room and then forced to have sex with him.
She also told the court that in all the times, she was scared to report the matter as the suspect used threats and violence against her, telling her that he would kill her if she told anyone.
The State has three witnesses apart from the victim who will give supporting evidence.
The trial continues before Justice Panuel Mogish.