Charged with rape of a minor, remanded at Bomana

A 21-YEAR-OLD man is before the Waigani Committal Court after he was alleged to have raped a teenage girl in a Port Moresby settlement when the girl had returned from taking a bath.
Melford William, of Jiwaka’s Kumdi village in Banz, made his first appearance from remand before Magistrate Paul Nii, who arraigned him on a charge of sexual penetration against a minor over the alleged incident on July 18 at the Bushwara settlement at 9-Mile.
Police alleged that on the date between 9pm and 10pm, the girl had had her bath, changed clothes and was heading back home when she encountered William.
William allegedly grabbed her, covered her mouth and dragged her away.
He removed her clothes and raped her.
He persisted despite her cries of pain and afterward let her walk home by herself.
Members of the victim’s family saw her state and asked her what was wrong and she told them of the alleged ordeal.
William was later nabbed and charged with the offence.
He will return to court on Aug 30 from remand at the Bomana Prison for mention.