Man accused of sexually abusing his stepdaughter in court

A 37-YEAR-OLD man accused of persistent sexual abuse of his stepdaughter appeared before the Waigani Committal Court yesterday.
The man, who had been in remand at Bomana prison, was charged with abusing the victim over a four-year period (2016-2020), which began when she was six.
Magistrate Garry Unjo adjourned the case to April 8 for submissions and sent the man back to Bomana.
The abuse allegedly occurred from Jan 1, 2016 to last Aug 18.
The stepfather is alleged to have abused the victim through instances of sexual assault and sexual penetration at their residence in Port Moresby.
Police alleged that the abuse began in 2016, according to the victim’s recollection. Last Aug 18 at around 1pm, after having lunch, the family went to have a nap.
The girl’s mother pretended to be asleep and saw the man touching the girl.
She took the girl out of the house and questioned her.
The girl then revealed everything about what had been happening.
The stepfather was reported to police.
He was arrested and charged with persistent sexual abuse of a minor.