Man accused of raping girl, 4, refused bail

THE Lae District Court refused bail for a 65-year-old-man from Yangoru district in East Sepik accused of raping a minor three months ago.
Pious Tapil asked the police prosecutor for his view on the safety of the victim (four-year-old girl) before considering the man’s bail.
The police prosecutor refused bail as well, stating that the victim was too young and could not defend or protect herself. He also said the victim and the accused were related and shared the same place of residence so it was not safe for the victim, the family and also the accused.
The accused was the brother of the victim’s grandmother. He was alleged to have committed the offence at Peter Block in Lae on May 31, at around 2pm. The accused brought buns, biscuits and a drink which he used to lure the victim into his room, removed her clothes and sexually penetrated her (using his penis and fingers as alleged by the victim).
It was alleged that the victim’s elder sister, 25, (the witness) who was in her room heard the victim shout bubu holim mi gut (granny hold me properly) and shouted a second time bubu karim mi gut (granny carry me properly). Suspicious, the sister went and found out that she (victim) was with the grandfather in his room. She (witness) opened the room door and found the victim with the accused and realised what had happened.
The accused was later taken to the town police station where he was charged with sexual penetration of a minor.
The case was adjourned to Oct 10.