30-year-old charged for allegedly raping a 75-year-old woman

A 30-year-old farmer will appear in the Nausori Magistrates Court today for allegedly raping a 75-year-old woman in her home.

Police say the incident occurred some time between the 12th and 13th of this month and was reported by the Turaga ni Koro on the 16th.

They say the elderly woman was alone at home, when she heard a noise coming from her kitchen.

Upon checking she saw the accused whom she knew, and told him to leave some food for her grandson and went back to sleep.

Police say later in the night, the accused went into the victim’s bedroom where he allegedly committed the offence.

The elderly woman relayed the matter to a relative on the 16th and it was referred to the Vunidawa Police Station by the Turaga ni Koro.

Police say two officers were deployed to arrest the accused on Friday, whereby he allegedly resisted and tore an officer's uniform and in the process assaulted the second officer.

They say the accused was eventually subdued, arrested and taken into police custody.

He has been charged with one count of rape, three counts of serious assault and one count of damaging property.