A MAN accused of sexually assaulting and raping his adopted daughter when she was only 12 years old, and impregnated her will this week know if he will stand trial in the High Court.
That is when the court will deliver the ruling on a short form preliminary inquiry (committal hearing) done on his case.
The 52-year-old man who could not be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim is facing one count of Persistent Sexual Abuse of a child, four counts of Sexual Intercourse with a child under 18 and two counts of Rape.
His matter was mentioned in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday for a Short Form Preliminary Inquiry (committal hearing).
The inquiry depositions were tendered to court on Monday.
However, the prosecution will need to provide missing documents in the inquiry documents they served on the defence counsel.
As a result, the matter was adjourned to tomorrow for the ruling on the inquiry.
The prosecution was ordered to provide the missing document before Tuesday.
The presiding magistrate will commit this matter to the High Court of trial if she finds sufficient evidence.
In the event, she finds insufficient evidence the case is likely to be dismissed.
The alleged incidents was said to have occurred between 2018 and 2019 at Tenaru area, Guadalcanal Province.
The alleged victim is the defendant’s adopted daughter.
She was only 12 years old when the first incident occurred in 2018.
Prosecution alleged the defendant sexually abused his adopted daughter on several occasions and raped her on two occasions.
The alleged victim allegedly got pregnant as a result of the sexual abuses and the matter came to light and reported to police after she gave birth to a baby.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
