Juveniles’ rape charge dropped

A Central Committal Court has struck out a rape charge against four juveniles yesterday due to lack of police evidence.
Counsel Kim Watakapura, representing Nento Godua 18, Solo John 19, Silex Jack 18 and Lifie Bome 18, told the court that the four had been in custody since their last appearance on July 7.
“They are juveniles and have not been brought down for their court hearing due to transportation problem,” she said.
Watakapura said that since the last hearing on July 7, “his worship magistrate Kalandi moved the motion that it was the last adjournment and said to strike out the case in the next appearance which is today”.
Central Committal Court magistrate Hilda David Aipi upon striking out the case, said: “Since there was no response from the prosecution, defendants are to be released from custody as this case is struck out for want of prosecution.”
It was alleged that on Jan 28, at 11pm at Sivigoro village in Rigo, Central, Jack and his three accomplices had tricked the victim and drugged her before they had sex with her.
It was alleged that the victim thought that it was a normal tobacco and she inhaled it.
It was also alleged the four accused did not use contraceptives such as condoms in the alleged rape.