Man, 18, on rape charge

A CENTRAL man appeared in court this week charged with attempting to rape a seven-year-old girl who was on her way to a school in the province last month.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate Cosmas Bidar adjourned the case of Erico Moru to July 20 to allow police to conduct investigations.
Bidar said it was a fresh matter and it would be adjourned like all other cases.
Moru, 18, from Kaniavai village in Tapini appeared from custody.
The court heard that Moru allegedly chased the victim who was on her way to school into a patch of bushes and hit her with a stick and she tripped and fell against a rock.
She fought back at Moru and ran out of the bushes towards the main road where she was met by some other students.
Moru allegedly chased after the girl towards the road but was disturbed by the other students.
The victim was assisted by the villagers and taken to police.