Accused of raping step-daughter

POLICE in Kerevat, East New Britain (ENB), have arrested and charged a man for allegedly raping his step-daughter and impregnating her.
The suspect is in custody at the Kerevat police cell and is expected to appear before the Kerevat District Court soon.
According to police reports, the suspect is a 39-year-old man, from Rabata village in the Toma-Vunadidir local level government (LLG) of Gazelle.
Provincial Police Commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali said the alleged incident first occurred in July and the last earlier last month.
He said the suspect, who is the victim’s step-father, took advantage of her and allegedly raped her as she was disabled.
Police alleged that in July, while the victim’s mother was away from home, the suspect entered the victim’s room and raped her.
Chief Insp Tabali said the suspect committed the same offence repeatedly until the first week of last month when the mother suspected that her daughter, who is 17, was pregnant and asked her about it and the daughter told her what had been happening.
With the help of the village elders, the matter was reported to the police in Kerevat and the suspect was arrested and charged.