Man faces trial for rape

A MAN man charged with sexual penetration of an eight-year-old girl has been committed to stand trial at the National Court.
Lemis Lope, 35, from Patua village in the Komo district of Hela allegedly sexually penetrated the girl in September last year.
Waigani committal court Magistrate Cosmos Bidar said there was sufficient evidence to refer the case to the National Court.
Bidar reached the decision after considering the girl’s statement and considering the medical report submitted in court.
“There is no reason for the court to doubt this statement and will send this case to the National Court,” Bidar said.
Lope alleged committed the offence on September 20 last year.
The matter returns to court on June 22 when Lope through his lawyer will make his submission on Bidar’s decision.