Man accused of raping girl, 17, two accomplices still at large

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A 28-YEAR-OLD man is to stand trial in the Waigani National Court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in 2016.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate Ernest Wilmot ruled on Monday that there was sufficient evidence to commit Douglas Vai, from Abau’s Ganakala village, Central, to face hearing in the National Court.
Vai was alleged to have raped the girl with two others, who are still at large.
The multiple rapes occurred in Gauna Gadi Street, Gerehu Stage 1, on Sept 24, 2016, when the girl was 17.
The trio allegedly took the girl into her house when no one was around and sexually assaulted her.
They allegedly forced her to have oral sex with them after taking turns to rape her.
They also forced her to urinate while they stood and watched.
Vai was also alleged to have threatened her with a knife and asked her to marry him because he already had sex with her.
Vai was arrested after a police report was lodged by the girl’s relative.
The two other accomplices have been on the run since.
The case against Vai was initially struck out due to insufficient evidence but was recharged with new evidence.
Wilmot fixed Sept 27 for listing and remanded Vai.