Man charged with raping daughter

By BEVERLY PETER
A 47-YEAR-OLD man who allegedly raped his eight-year-old daughter in Port Moresby two months ago was arraigned in a committal court in Waigani yesterday.
The man was charged with rape, persistent sexual abuse and raping a minor.
Magistrate Danny Wakikura read the charges to the father who appeared in court from custody and told him that a bail application could be filed in the committal court if he wished to.
“This is a case where police alleged that you raped your own daughter.
“Whether it’s true or not is for the National Court to decide, Magistrate Wakikura said.
“This court will only assess the police evidence to see if there is enough evidence.”
Police alleged that between Jan 1 and March 7, at June Valley, the father sexually abused his daughter who was doing grade one at a school in June Valley.
On two occasions between the dates, he allegedly fondled his daughter at night while she was asleep and she allegedly woke up in pain.
Police further alleged that between 2am and 5am on March 5, the father raped her when she was sleeping with other family members on the same bed.
It was alleged that the father had initially slept across the victim’s leg and later woke up in the early hours of the morning and slept on top of her.
The matter was reported and the father was arrested and charged on April 11.
The matter was adjourned to May 25 for mention.
Defence lawyer from Public Solicitor’s Office John Polowe informed the court that the father’s bail application was filed and ready to be heard.
The court then set today to hear the bail application and issued a warrant of remand for the father to be kept at the Boroko Police Station holding cell.