Man facing sex charge granted bail

A 27-YEAR-OLD man arrested and charged with a sexual offence against a minor was granted K2,000 bail.
The Mt Hagen Committal Court on Friday granted Jason Tep K1,000 bail and ordered his two guarantors to each pay a K500 surety fee.
Senior Provincial Magistrate Betty Jacob granted bail after Tep appeared in court from police custody on Friday and filed his bail application.
Police prosecutor Paul Urangian did not object to the bail application, but asked the court to imposed strict conditions.
Jacob told the defendant to report to the officer in charge of prosecution every Tuesday, not to interfere with state witnesses, and not to commit any offences while on bail.
She told him to appear in court as schedule and not to leave the province.
She added that if Tep left the province or broke any bail conditions, his two guarantors would be arrested. Police said last Nov 8 at around 4pm in Kalakai village, outside Mt Hagen, the victim, aged 16, was on her way home when she was allegedly attacked and raped.
Police said the victim, who was also from Kalakai, walked passed Tep and his friend drinking alcohol beside the road.
Police said she greeted them when she passed by but was pursued by the accused who grabbed her. Police alleged that the accused and the victim knew each other.
Police alleged that Tep assaulted the victim before he dragged her into nearby bushes and raped her.
The victim reported the matter to her relatives and police.
Police said Tep surrendered to police and admitted to the crime but claimed she was his girlfriend.
Magistrate Jacob told Tep that his case would be heard on Friday.
Jacob told him that if he could not afford the bail imposed, he would remain in remand at Baisu jail.