Sex abuse case dismissed at victim’s request

A MAN accused of sexually abusing his niece between 2004 and 2006 was acquitted by the National Court in Lae last Friday after the victim and her mother told the court to dismiss the case.
Waso Efef, in his 30s, of Gabsonkeg village, Wampar in the Huon Gulf was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
He appeared on trial last Thursday before Justice George Manuhu.
He had pleaded not guilty.
The State alleged that between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 30, 2006, Efef was at Gabsonkeg village, Wampar in the Huon Gulf.
The first incident occurred when the victim was working in the garden when Efef sexually penetrated her, the State alleged.
The State also alleged that after the first incident, he then continued to have sexual intercourse with her nine more times.
It was alleged that the tenth time was on Dec 30, 2006, when the victim was 15 years old.
The State alleged that the crime was a persistent abuse of a child under the age of 16 and that the accused was the younger brother of the victim’s mother.
The first two State witnesses were the victim’s mother and a peace officer.
Both testified that they only learnt what had happened after the victim reported it to them.
During the testimony, the mother also identified the accused as her young biological brother.
The victim, who is now 18, did not turn up because she was ill.
Last Friday, the victim turned up to testify but was reluctant and gave contradictory evidence.
When the judge asked if she wanted the case to continue, she said she wanted the case dismissed.
Justice Manuhu then called up the mother and she also said she wanted the case dismissed.