A 31-year-old man who allegedly abducted and raped a 7-year-old girl in Lautoka in November last year, will appear in the Lautoka Magistrates Court this afternoon.
The man, who is the girl’s neighbour and is also related to the girl, has been charged with rape, abduction and wrongful confinement.
Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho says after months of painstaking work, investigators have finally managed to link the accused to the alleged incident.
Qiliho says as is with sexual offence cases, the focus of his investigators has been on ensuring those responsible are brought to justice, and this has not shifted from the day the report was initially received.
He says this should also send a strong message of our commitment with regards to serious cases especially where children are victims of crime.
The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of the 2nd of November last year and the victim was taken by the man from her home.
The 7‑year‑old girl was missing from her home between 1am to 3am.
She returned home at about 4.35am.
The young girl had to be admitted in hospital as she also needed surgery.
Police then conducted house to house enquiries in a number of areas in Lautoka to locate the man.
Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena has deferred the plea and the case has been transferred to the Lautoka High Court.
The accused has been remanded in custody and the case will be called again on the 4th of August.
