Police prosecutor fights to keep child-sex accused in custody

By GIDEON KINDIWA
A police prosecutor strongly argued in court to revoke bail of a couple who were committed to stand trial at the National Court for sexually abusing a girl, 13.
The husband, 48, from West New Britain and his wife from Hanuabada in the National Capital District, were alleged to have sexually abused the husband’s biological daughter from previous marriage.
The alleged offence took place between 2015 and 2017 when the victim was aged 13 to 15.
The husband allegedly had sex with his daughter on several occasions between Sept 2015 and April 2017. He also invited his new wife to take part in the offence where they sexually abused the victim by having group sex.
It was alleged that they also forced the victim to consume alcohol and have sex with her afterwards.
The man kept telling his daughter that she should have sex with him so that he would provide for her financial needs. He gave her money after every encounter.
After facing continuous abuse, the victim reported the matter to her stepfather. The matter was then reported to police and the man and his wife were arrested and charged.
Constable Shellian Pius said the couple breached bail conditions by interfering with the victim.
She said a letter, which was signed by the victim, had been given to court to dismiss the case.
Pius said this clearly showed that the victim had been manipulated to do so.
The letter stated that the victim only accused the defendants of sexually abusing her because she thought her father was not taking responsibility of taking care of her, because his new wife was stopping him from doing so.
Pius submitted that the letter named both defendants in every paragraph and asked for the case to be dismissed.
She said this indicated that the victim has been either forced to write the letter to dismiss the case, or the letter was written by the defendants and forced the victim to sign.
Either way, Pius said there was some form of interference, which breached the bail condition and the defendants should be locked up in custody.
The court will take responses from both lawyers representing the defendants and make a ruling.