Officer charged with rape

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A SENIOR government officer who was on an official trip to Gulf is in police custody for allegedly raping a teenage relative in a hotel, Kerema Police Station commander Snr Insp Michael Pakyei says.
“The 67-year-old man, a senior manager with a department, was in Kerema for a meeting after travelling from Port Moresby,” he said.
“He was part of a Government delegation that went to Kerema town for a meeting to appoint the new chairman of the Kerema development authority after the death of Kerema MP Richard Mendani when he allegedly raped the 18-year-old girl on Friday.
“He has been charged with rape, sexual penetration, multiple sexual touching, breach of trust and incest.
“He is now remanded at the Kerema police station cell and has been denied bail.”
Snr Insp Pakyei said the man and the girl lived in the same settlement in Port Moresby.
“The suspect is married to the girl’s aunty and the girl wanted to come to her village in Gulf.
“The victim decided to hitch a ride with him last Thursday.
“The families back at the settlement were happy for the suspect to bring her to the village.
“On the road, it got dark and she couldn’t be dropped off at Iosupi village to take a boat ride along the Tauri River to her village, which is down the coast.
“Both agreed to continue travelling to Kerema town and spend the night there before the victim can make her way to her village the next day.”
“Upon arriving at a hotel in town, the suspect booked a room for them instead of booking a separate room for the victim.
“They settled into the room and the girl went straight to bed to sleep.
“There was only one large bed in that room so the suspect slept next to her on the bed.
“While laying by her side, the suspect attempted to seduce her by showing her pornographic videos on his mobile phone.
“He made three unsuccessful attempts.
“Sometime after midnight, while she was asleep, the man undressed her and began touching her.
“She woke up but was overpowered and he raped her.
“She later managed to escape from the room.”
“The security guards were alerted by her crying and responded to her.
“After she told her ordeal to the guards, they went to the room and apprehended the suspect at about 3am and brought him to the police station.
“He will appear before the Kerema District Court for committal proceedings.”