High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo has acquitted a 60-year-old man and his 60-year-old wife who were charged in relation to the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nasinu.
The 60-year-old man was charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecently annoying a person and one count of sexual assault.
The 60-year-old woman was charged with aiding and abetting the offence of rape.
Justice Temo stated that he disagrees with the three assessors guilty opinion as there are reasonable doubts.
He further said the 14-year-old girl had admitted in court that she lied to the Police because she was scared.
Justice Temo said the prosecution relied on the victim’s evidence and the girl had told the court that prior to the alleged incident, the accused man and her agreed to have sex for $20.
In his judgement, Justice Temo said the girl had told the court that she was desperate for money and she often went to the house of the accused to clean for money.
The Judge said it is important that a person accusing someone of rape is honest to the Police, the doctor and the court because the person’s honesty will affect their credibility.
