18-year-old charged with rape of minor

AN 18-year-old charged with the rape of a minor appeared in the Central Committal Court for a fourth mention of his court case before final adjournment.
The time was allowed so the prosecutor could compile further instructions before magistrate Marcus Nandape could decide on the ruling.
The man’s name is withheld to protect the identity of the victim, his 12-year-old cousin.
The accused is from Kaitana, Hiri, Central.
It is alleged that the youth raped her when she went to the river.
On Aug 30, at around 11am, the girl took some kitchen utensils to wash at the river.
The accused followed her, asked where her mother was and allegedly pulled her to a nearby bush on learning that the mother was in the garden.
He allegedly stripped and raped her.
It was alleged the girl tried to scream but the accused covered her mouth.
She bled heavily.
The victim’s mother was returning from the garden when she saw her daughter coming out of the bushes with her clothes covered in blood.
She was taken to the Sogeri health centre for medical treatment.