The first and second accused persons in the trial of the 13-year-old boy who was allegedly raped by his four uncles, have said that the allegation against them is not true.
Both men said that the interviewing officer had not asked them if they preferred to be interviewed in the English or i-Taukei language and they did not understand the interview that was conducted.
Defence lawyer Nemani Tuifagalele asked both men if they had admitted in the statement that they had sex with the boy.
They said it is not true.
During the cross-examination, prosecuting lawyer, Taitusi Tuenuku asked the first accused what was his level of education. The 40-year-old farmer said that he had studied up to form 4 level.
Justice Salesi Temo said this is an important question as the accused was saying he did not understand English.
When asked by Judge Temo if he reads the newspapers, the 40-year-old farmer confirmed that he reads the English language newspapers.
The second accused, a 36-year-old barman said that he had also studied up to form 4 level.
The four uncles have been charged with one count each of rape and all of them have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The first accused is 40-years-old, the second accused is 36, the third accused is 45 while the fourth accused is 42.
Earlier Today
The first accused in the trial of the 13-year-old boy who was allegedly raped by his four uncles, has said that the allegation against him is not true.
The 40-year-old farmer from Tailevu said that the interviewing officer had not asked if he preferred to be interviewed in the English or i-Taukei language and he did not understand the interview that was conducted.
Defence lawyer Nemani Tuifagalele asked his client if he had admitted in the statement that he had sex with the boy.
The first accused said it is not true.
He also said that he did not call the boy to his house and did not force the boy to have sex with him.
Tuifagalele then showed the first accused a copy of the statement and said that the officer had asked him if he preferred to be interviewed in the English or iTaukei language and that he had said he preferred to be interviewed in English.
The accused told the court that he was not asked that question by the Police Officer.
He said he wanted legal assistance but he was not asked by the officer if he wanted assistance.
He said he was given the statement to sign but he did not understand the context of the document and just signed it.
During the cross-examination, prosecuting lawyer, Taitusi Tuenuku asked the accused what was his level of education. The 40-year-old farmer said that he had studied up to form 4 level.
Tuifagalele objected to Tuenuku’s question on whether he had studied English in school, saying that English is a compulsory subject.
Justice Salesi Temo intervened and said this is an important question as the accused was saying he did not understand English.
When asked by Judge Temo if he reads the newspapers, the 40-year-old farmer confirmed that he reads the English language newspapers.
The alleged incidents occurred in Tailevu between November 2015 to March last year.
The four uncles have been charged with one count each of rape and all of them have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The first accused is 40-years-old, the second accused is 36, the third accused is 45 while the fourth accused is 42.
