Man accused of sexually abusing niece to stand trial

A MAN accused of sexually abusing his three-year-old niece has been committed to stand trial in the National Court after a committal court found sufficient evidence to support the charge against him.
The crime was committed last year.
Lae Committal Court Magistrate Pious Tapil committed Topi Guiye, from Akwange village in Menyamya, Morobe, to trial after the medical report presented in court provided sufficient evidence on the case yesterday.
Magistrate Tapil said most sexual abuse cases involving young children were committed by people who knew the victims.
Guiye was denied bail as the court was of the view that there would be some interference with State witnesses, including the victim and the family.
However, Guiye was told to apply for bail at the National Court.
The court also heard that the defendant had offered to pay compensation.
The case was adjourned to May 3, for mention at the National Court.
Magistrate Tapil said the medical report revealed sufficient evidence that the victim was sexually abused by the defendant and supported the elements of the charge to commit the defendant for a trial.
It was alleged that last Nov 15, the victim was feeling sick and complained to Guiye’s wife of a stomach ache.
The aunt took the girl to the hospital without checking her and reported that she was having continuous diarrhoea with bleeding and a high temperature.
However, the victim was still sick, so the aunt took her to her sister (Wendy) and left her there.
Police alleged that Wendy realised that the girl was unwell and could not sit properly.
She asked the girl if anything had happened to her and she told the aunt what Guiye had done to her.
Wendy took the victim to Angau Memorial Hospital’s family support centre where doctors confirmed that the victim had injuries to her private parts.
The matter was reported to police and Guiye was arrested and charged.