Man charged with sexual penetration of minor

A 23-year-old man was committed to trial in the National Court after his victim, now 8, gave her statement in the committal court last week.
He is charged with sexual penetration of a minor.
Senior Magistrate Pious Tapil, last Wednesday, ruled that the body language of the victim clearly showed that she was in fear of the accused and did not want to be near him or see him.
Magistrate Tapil said her evidence was sufficient, supporting the elements of the charge to commit the accused to the higher court.
The court relied on the victim’s statement which was delivered in court by her mother.
“Since such offences were becoming common throughout the country, where the perpetrators target vulnerable children who cannot defend and protect themselves, the court will not allow bail,” Magistrate Tapil said.
“ However, a proper bail application is required to be filed at the National Court.”
The accused is from Buseki village in Middle Fly, Western.
The court heard that at the time there was a breach of relationship between the accused and the victim as the accused was her uncle, he was the younger brother of her father.
It was alleged that while other siblings were outside the house playing, between last Dec 5 and Jan 8, the accused took the victim into her parents’ room, removed her clothes and sexually penetrated her.
He then, allegedly threatened the victim not to tell anyone, including her parents, or he would cut her throat.
Police alleged that on Jan 8, the accused was caught compelling the victim’s elder brother to touch his penis.It was then that the victim revealed what the accused did to her many times.
The case will return to court on Aug 8.