Remanded over alleged sexual penetration, incest of cousin, 12

A MAN charged with a count each of sexual penetration and incest has been remanded at the Buimo jail by the Lae Committal Court.
Magistrate Pious Tapil, on Monday, ordered a warrant of remand for the 20-year-old man from Tewai-Siassi in Morobe for the next three months to allow police files to be completed.
The man’s alleged act of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16, the victim was a 12-year-old girl, contravened Section 229 A of the PNG Criminal Code (Sexual Offence and Crime against Children) Act 2002 as amended.
The defendant’s alleged second act of sexual penetration with a close blood relative (his cousin) contravened Section 223 (1) (a) of the PNG Criminal Code (Sexual Offences and Crime against Children) Act 2002 as Amended.
Magistrate Tapil told the defendant that he could make a proper bail application in court if he wanted to.
The court was told that the man, on Sept 5, at Wanbel Market, Back Road in Lae between 8pm and 10pm allegedly raped the girl.
Police claimed the defendant engaged in the act when the victim was with her aunt.
The court heard that the victim was asleep and when she woke up, she found that her trousers was cut up to her waist.
She looked around and saw the suspect sleeping on another bed nearby. Police, upon complaint laid by family members, arrested and charged the defendant.
Magistrate Tapil said these criminal acts on minors by their own family members and relatives were becoming prevalent in “our communities today”. The man will appear for mention at the Lae Committal Court on Dec 29.