THE matter of a 15-year-old female accused of raping a five-year-old girl in Honiara in May will return to court on September 2 for possible plea.
The juvenile who could not be named for legal reasons is facing one count of Rape.
Her matter was mentioned in the Honiara Magistrate Court where it was confirmed that she is now represented by Delilah Kukura Fagani from the Public Solicitor’s Office.
Mrs Fagani sought an adjournment through her colleague, who appeared on her instructions on Tuesday, as the matter was just allocated to her.
The court heard she needs time to speak with her client.
It was heard that disclosures have already been served on her.
The juvenile is currently on remand after she was re-arrested after a warrant of arrest was issued for her due to her failure to appear at a previous court date.
The defendant was remanded after she breached her bail conditions.
According to her bail conditions, the defendant was required to reside with her mother at their residence and attend all court hearings.
However, she failed to attend court and was re-arrested by police at her aunt’s house in Alligator Creek in Guadalcanal, breaching two of her bail conditions.
She was charged following an allegation on 16 May this year in Honiara.
The prosecution alleged that she sexually abused the five-year-old victim in the victim’s parents’ house in Honiara.
The juvenile and her mother, who are related to the alleged victim, often visit the victim’s family house.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
