Man in court over rape charge

A MAN told the Waigani Committal Court yesterday that he did not know his age.
The man believed to be between 25 and 30 appeared before magistrate Cosmas Bidar charged with the rape of a girl, 17, at Erima.
Amos Tagibe, from Margarima, Hela allegedly raped her at the back of a supermarket.
It was alleged that in the afternoon of Nov 1, the girl was drinking with two friends at her house behind the supermarket. They drank until 2am.
It was alleged that at around 3am both friends left her drinking all alone. Tagibe allegedly approached her and forced her to go home with him.
The girl told Tagibe that she did not know him but Tagiba allegedly held the victim by the trousers and pulled her into a nearby bush.
Tagibe allegedly punched the victim on the mouth to stop her from screaming and then threatened her with a knife to stay quiet.
Tagibe allegedly stripped off the girl’s clothes and raped her. It was alleged that Tagibe’s wife found him sexually abusing the girl but he (Tagibe) told her to stand and watch.
The abuse went on for long, two young boys arrived distracted Tagibe and he fled.
Tagibe was later arrested and he admitted committing the offence but told police that they agreed to have sex. Tagibe was arrested and charged.
The matter was adjourned to Dec 13 for mention.